The Seattle Mariners made a notable lineup decision involving catcher Cal Raleigh during their three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, as the club continues searching for answers amid a difficult stretch offensively.
Raleigh entered the Brewers series under considerable scrutiny because his production at the plate has fallen dramatically compared with the historic campaign he put together in 2025. After establishing himself as one of the most dangerous power hitters in baseball last season, the switch-hitting catcher has struggled to reproduce that form in 2026.
The Mariners’ decision to give Raleigh a day out of the starting lineup during the Milwaukee series therefore attracted attention, particularly because Seattle has increasingly relied on lineup adjustments while attempting to find consistency. According to reports, Raleigh did not start the series finale in Milwaukee after catching earlier in the series.
The move came at an important point for both Raleigh and the Mariners. Seattle entered the Brewers matchup needing victories to keep pace in the playoff picture, while Raleigh was attempting to rediscover the offensive form that made him one of the most important players on the roster.
A Difficult Season for Raleigh
Raleigh’s struggles have been one of the more surprising storylines surrounding Seattle this season.
In 2025, he produced an extraordinary offensive season, leading the majors with 60 home runs and driving in 125 runs. He also finished second in American League MVP voting behind New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge. Those numbers established Raleigh as much more than a defense-first catcher. He became a central component of Seattle’s offensive identity.
The 2026 season, however, has been dramatically different.
Entering the Brewers series, Raleigh’s batting average and slugging percentage had fallen significantly from his previous year’s levels. His production had become a concern for a Mariners team already dealing with broader offensive inconsistencies.
That decline has created a difficult situation for manager Dan Wilson. Raleigh remains an important defensive player behind the plate and has the potential to change a game with one swing. At the same time, Seattle cannot afford to overlook prolonged offensive struggles when every game carries significant importance.
The Brewers Series Put More Pressure on Seattle
The Milwaukee series was particularly important because the Mariners were facing one of the better teams in the National League.
The Brewers opened the series with a stunning 22-0 victory, matching a franchise record for runs and handing Seattle one of the worst defeats in Mariners history.
Seattle responded the following night with a 7-5 victory, showing some resilience after the embarrassing opening-game loss. However, the series remained a reminder of how inconsistent the Mariners had become.
Against that backdrop, every lineup decision carried additional significance.
Wilson has experimented with different batting orders throughout the season, particularly as Seattle’s offense has struggled to produce consistently. Raleigh has consequently moved around the lineup instead of occupying the same prominent position he held during his breakout 2025 campaign.
The catcher has even found himself batting lower in the order, a reflection of the Mariners’ attempt to reduce pressure on him while simultaneously finding a combination that can generate runs.
Seattle Still Believes in Raleigh
Despite the offensive struggles, the Mariners’ decisions do not suggest that they have lost faith in Raleigh.
Quite the opposite.
Seattle continues to view him as an important part of the organization. His defensive value, leadership and previous offensive production make him difficult to remove from the team’s plans.
That was evident when Raleigh returned to the lineup following his rest day. The Mariners continued to give him opportunities rather than simply pushing him aside.
Raleigh also provided a reminder of what he can do offensively shortly after the Brewers series. In Seattle’s subsequent series against the Chicago Cubs, he hit a three-run home run in the Mariners’ 6-5 victory on Aug. 21.
That performance was particularly encouraging because it demonstrated that the power has not completely disappeared.
For Seattle, the challenge is finding a way to turn occasional flashes like that into consistent production.
A Potential Turning Point
The decision to rest Raleigh during the Brewers series could ultimately prove beneficial.
Catchers endure one of the most physically demanding workloads in baseball. Beyond their offensive responsibilities, they spend an entire game managing pitchers, blocking balls in the dirt, receiving pitches and handling defensive communication.
A day away from the starting lineup can therefore provide an opportunity to recover physically and mentally.
For Raleigh, that could be especially valuable during a season in which the pressure surrounding his performance has increased.
There is also a psychological component. After hitting 60 home runs and finishing second in MVP voting, expectations naturally became enormous. Every slump is magnified because everyone remembers what Raleigh accomplished the previous year.
Rather than allowing those expectations to overwhelm him, Seattle may be hoping that periodic rest and lineup flexibility can help him regain confidence.
Mariners Need More From Their Star Catcher
Ultimately, the Mariners need Raleigh to become more consistent if they are going to make a serious push.
Seattle’s offense has struggled for much of the season, and the team cannot rely entirely on other hitters to compensate for one of its most important offensive weapons.
The good news is that Raleigh has already shown signs of life. His recent three-run homer against Chicago demonstrates that he remains capable of producing game-changing moments.
The Mariners now have to determine how best to maximize those moments.
That could mean moving him around the batting order, giving him occasional rest days or using him as the designated hitter when appropriate. Seattle previously returned Raleigh to the cleanup spot as the designated hitter during another lineup adjustment, demonstrating the club’s willingness to change his role depending on circumstances.
The Bigger Picture
The Brewers series ultimately highlighted a larger problem for Seattle. The Mariners are searching for consistency at a time when the margin for error is becoming smaller.
Raleigh remains one of the most recognizable and potentially impactful players on the roster. His 2025 season proved that he can carry an offense for stretches, while his recent home run against the Cubs showed that the power remains in his bat.
The Mariners’ decision to rest him during the Brewers series should therefore not necessarily be viewed as a demotion or loss of confidence.
Instead, it appears to be part of a broader effort by Wilson and the coaching staff to manage Raleigh’s workload and find the best possible version of their star catcher.
For Seattle, the hope is simple: give Raleigh the opportunity to reset, then get him back into a productive rhythm.
With the postseason race approaching its decisive stages, the Mariners need their biggest offensive weapons to deliver. Raleigh is undoubtedly one of those players.
If he can rediscover even a portion of the form that produced 60 home runs and 125 RBIs last season, Seattle’s lineup could look dramatically different.
For now, the Mariners’ decision during the Brewers series represents another chapter in Raleigh’s difficult 2026 campaign—but his recent power display suggests that the story may still have a positive turn ahead.
