The Seattle Mariners made an interesting lineup decision involving star catcher Cal Raleigh ahead of their series opener against the New York Yankees, giving the struggling slugger another opportunity to make an impact in a crucial stretch of the season.
Seattle traveled to the Bronx for the opening game of the series on Tuesday, August 11, with the team looking to turn its fortunes around. The Mariners entered the matchup with a 56-63 record and remained in contention for a postseason spot despite their disappointing record. For the series opener, Seattle handed the ball to right-hander Bryan Woo, who was scheduled to face Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers.
One of the most notable developments before the game involved Raleigh. Mariners manager Dan Wilson adjusted the batting order and moved the catcher up another spot. Raleigh was listed as the team’s sixth hitter for the Yankees matchup after batting seventh in Sunday’s game.
The decision was significant because Raleigh has experienced a major decline at the plate compared with the extraordinary offensive season he produced in 2025. Earlier this year, the catcher had dropped considerably in Seattle’s batting order, at one point hitting as low as eighth. However, Wilson has recently begun moving him back toward the middle of the lineup, potentially signaling confidence that the veteran catcher can rediscover his form.
Raleigh’s struggles have been particularly surprising because of what he accomplished only one season ago. In 2025, he established himself as one of the most dangerous power hitters in Major League Baseball. He launched 60 home runs and drove in 125 runs, leading the majors in homers while putting together a historic campaign. His performance earned him his first All-Star selection and helped him finish as the runner-up for the American League MVP award.
That production created enormous expectations heading into 2026. Unfortunately for Raleigh and the Mariners, his offensive numbers have fallen sharply this season.
Entering Tuesday’s matchup, Raleigh had played in 85 games and collected 50 hits in 310 at-bats. He had scored 26 runs while recording 12 home runs and 43 RBIs. His batting average had fallen to .161, while his slugging percentage stood at .303 and his OPS was .571. Those figures represent a dramatic contrast to the production that made him one of baseball’s most feared hitters the previous season.
Still, the Mariners appear unwilling to give up on their star catcher. Moving Raleigh from seventh to sixth in the batting order could be viewed as a small but meaningful sign that the organization wants to give him additional opportunities to regain his confidence.
The timing of the decision was also important. Seattle entered the Yankees series in desperate need of positive results. Despite being several games below .500, the Mariners were still within striking distance of the American League postseason picture. They were sitting third in the AL West, 4.5 games behind the division leader and four games outside a Wild Card position, with 42 regular-season games remaining at the time of the report.
That situation leaves very little room for extended slumps. Seattle needs its most important offensive players to contribute consistently if the club hopes to remain in the playoff race.
Raleigh is obviously one of those players.
His ability to change a game with one swing makes him an important piece of the Mariners’ lineup. Even during a difficult season, his previous production demonstrates the type of offensive impact he can provide when he is locked in. The Mariners therefore have plenty of motivation to help him find his rhythm again.
The Yankees series presented a challenging opportunity. New York is one of the American League’s most competitive teams, and playing at Yankee Stadium can put additional pressure on visiting players. For Raleigh, however, the series also represented a chance to make an immediate statement.
A strong performance against the Yankees could potentially provide the confidence boost he needs. More importantly, it could help Seattle generate some much-needed momentum during a critical portion of the schedule.
The Mariners’ offensive struggles have been a major concern throughout the season. With Raleigh not producing at the level expected, the burden has fallen more heavily on other members of the lineup. Players such as Julio Rodríguez and Seattle’s other key offensive contributors have had to find ways to generate enough offense while the team’s former home-run leader searches for consistency.
Moving Raleigh up the lineup could therefore be more than simply a day-to-day managerial adjustment. It may represent an attempt by Wilson to put one of his most talented hitters in a position where he can see more important opportunities.
Batting sixth gives Raleigh a chance to come to the plate earlier than he would from the bottom portion of the order. It also places him closer to some of Seattle’s biggest offensive threats, potentially creating more opportunities to drive in runs.
The Mariners will need that production as they attempt to remain alive in the American League playoff race.
At this stage of the season, every game carries additional significance. Seattle cannot afford to waste too many opportunities, especially with a limited number of games remaining. The club’s ability to stay within reach of the postseason could ultimately depend on whether its most experienced players can deliver during the final stretch.
For Raleigh, the challenge is straightforward: rediscover the offensive form that made him one of baseball’s biggest stars in 2025.
His 60-home-run season proved that he has the power and ability to change games. The question now is whether he can make the necessary adjustments and return to that level before Seattle’s playoff hopes disappear.
The Mariners’ decision to move him up to sixth against the Yankees suggests that the team still has faith in him. Rather than burying Raleigh at the bottom of the lineup, Wilson is giving him another opportunity to produce in a more prominent spot.
That confidence could prove important for a player trying to overcome a difficult season.
Seattle’s postseason hopes remain alive, but the margin for error is shrinking. With the Yankees standing in their way, the Mariners need contributions from their biggest stars. Raleigh, in particular, has an opportunity to turn his season around and remind everyone why he was one of the American League’s most dangerous hitters just a year ago.
The Yankees series could therefore become another important test for both Raleigh and the Mariners.
If the catcher can rediscover his power stroke, his return to form could provide Seattle with a significant boost during the final weeks of the regular season. If his struggles continue, however, the Mariners may face an even tougher battle to keep their postseason ambitions alive.
For now, the message from Seattle is clear: Cal Raleigh remains an important part of the team’s plans. His move back up the batting order shows that the Mariners are still willing to put him in a position to succeed.
The next step is up to Raleigh.
With the postseason race tightening and every game becoming increasingly important, Seattle needs the version of Raleigh that terrorized opposing pitchers in 2025 to return as soon as possible.
