The MVP runner-up from a season ago, Raleigh hasn't found a rhythm through the first two games of the season.
SEATTLE -- Through the first two games of the 2026 season, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has yet to find his rhythm at the plate.
The MVP runner-up from a season ago, Raleigh has gone 0-for-7 with seven strikeouts. Though he does have a walk in there, Raleigh has struggled with pitch recognition.
After being so disciplined at the plate for most of 2025, Raleigh has swung at offspeed pitches in the dirt and fastballs above the letters.
One at-bat in Saturday's 5-1 win featured Raleigh strikeout on seven pitches, and not one single pitch in the at-bat was actually in the strike zone.
With 160 games left in the season, we know that any Raleigh discourse is hyperbole and we know he'll be fine. His manager Dan Wilson does too, which he said postgame:
"He's just missing some pitches. And, again, what he's done for us defensively has been outstanding. Helping our pitchers through the ball game is what he does so well, and he can contribute in so many ways. And... He's Cal. He's going to find it, and we know it's going to be there. And it's just a matter of time. And he's getting closer."
It will be interesting to see how the Mariners handle things on Saturday night against the Guardians. Left-hander Joey Cantillo is starting on the mound, which means it's likely that Mitch Garver will handle the catching duties.
Will the Mariners sit Raleigh entirely? Or will they have him play designated hitter in order to get Raleigh some work right-handed work in? If Raleigh does play designated hitter, then what happens to both Victor Robles and Rob Refsnyder, who are both set to play against lefties a majority of the time?
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) at bat during the first inning in Peoria, Arizona. Arianna Grainey-Imagn ImagesIt's a situation we discussed recently on the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast and it will be fascinating to see how Wilson handles it.
First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. PT. Bryan Woo will make his first start of the 2026 campaign opposite Cantillo. Woo was an All-Star a season ago.
Also in the news
--The Mariners bullpen was much better on Friday than it had been on Saturday. Eduard Bazardo, Matt Brash and Andres Munoz combined to throw three scoreless innings. Speaking of Bazardo, he won the World Baseball Classic with Venezuela this March. We spoke to him about that experience and what it meant to him before Thursday's season opener.
--The Mariners have scored nine runs in the first two games of the campaign, which is solid. But how they've done it? That's historically significant.
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