The Seattle Mariners are currently riding high with a two-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the American League West, thanks to their impressive 19-12 start this season. A big part of this success can be attributed to Cal Raleigh, who is rapidly solidifying his status as one of the top catchers in all of baseball.
Raleigh’s contribution to the team goes beyond just his batting skills; he combines exceptional defensive capabilities with remarkable durability. But let’s be honest—what really gets fans on their feet is the way he swings the bat. On Friday night, he put on a show against the Texas Rangers, driving in five runs and helping the Mariners secure a commanding 13-1 victory.
What stood out in that game was Raleigh’s ability to perform under pressure—his monster performance featured both a solo home run and a grand slam. By the end of that evening, he had taken the lead in Major League home runs with an impressive total of 12—a feat that saw him surpass New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, who had been his equal before Friday’s match-up.
Cal Raleigh isn’t just a name on the roster; he’s a key player making waves in the league. With those twelve home runs, he’s also added six doubles, 23 RBIs, and 21 runs to his name, maintaining a solid slash line of .242/.350/.592. It’s clear he’s more than just a flash in the pan—his consistent output makes him a player to watch.
Interestingly, while Raleigh was lighting up the scoreboard, Aaron Judge was doing his thing in the Yankees’ Saturday victory against the Tampa Bay Rays. He didn’t hit a home run, yet he managed to go 2-for-4 with a double and a triple. Judge’s stats are nothing short of astonishing—he’s hitting an outrageous .430/.521/.777 with eight doubles, ten home runs, and leading the league with 32 RBIs and 30 runs scored. For Yankees fans, those “video game” numbers translate into a solid 19-13 record, keeping them in the race for the AL East title.
Meanwhile, the Mariners are on a real roll, having won five consecutive games and 15 of their last 19 outings. This surge is not solely about Raleigh; players like Jorge Polanco and Dylan Moore have also stepped up. Remarkably, both were named Player of the Week in consecutive weeks—a feat not seen in the Mariners’ franchise since the days of legends like Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. back in 1998.
As the Mariners prepare for their next challenge against the Texas Rangers this Saturday for the second game of their three-game series, the momentum is certainly on their side. The Rangers are struggling, having lost eight of their last ten games. For Mariners fans, hope is once again blooming, and as the season unfolds, they’re eager to see if Raleigh and his teammates can keep the good times rolling.
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