# Harper, Team USA’s WBC letdown, and baseball’s ABS future

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/speaking-of-sports-308988/harper-team-usa-s-wbc-letdown-and-baseball-s-abs-future
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/speaking-of-sports-308988/harper-team-usa-s-wbc-letdown-and-baseball-s-abs-future.md
Podcast: [Speaking of Sports](https://stenobird.com/podcast/speaking-of-sports-308988)
Published: 2026-03-19T00:42:04+00:00
Episode link: https://speakingofsports.simplecast.com/episodes/sos-ep-213-R5bHDUV_
Audio file: https://cdn.simplecast.com/media/audio/transcoded/5baa65ad-276c-4aa8-be3b-fd1ade1b6a3c/19bbc02d-6561-4b81-988b-9dde87b5cc36/episodes/audio/group/0057c473-6534-40f9-8c60-9808e4bd8c90/group-item/a3b5d9e7-36a0-4fad-aed2-45b8d5a2b9c4/128_default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=WxtZYaij
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/speaking-of-sports-308988/episodes/harper-team-usa-s-wbc-letdown-and-baseball-s-abs-future
Duration seconds: 2852

## Resource

In this episode, Chuck and Ken break down Bryce Harper’s polarizing tournament performance, debate whether his struggles are just a small-sample blip or an early warning sign, and unpack why Team USA’s bats disappeared when the pitching got tougher. They also dig into Mark DeRosa’s bullpen decisions, the impact of MLB clubs limiting pitcher usage, and what challenge-based automated balls and strikes could mean for strategy, catchers, and the future of the game

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## Transcript

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