Mariners' Powerful Bats Put Baseball on Notice, But Something's Missing

Seattle's offense is off to a hot start, but the absence of star catcher Cal Raleigh could be a concern.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players and field of play.The Mariners' powerful offense has put the rest of baseball on notice, but their success may hinge on getting star catcher Cal Raleigh back on track.NYC Today

The Seattle Mariners have started the 2026 MLB season with a powerful offensive display, hitting eight home runs in their first four games - the second-most in baseball. However, the team's star catcher and home run king from 2025, Cal Raleigh, has been relatively quiet so far, with just one extra-base hit. Right fielder Luke Raley has emerged as the main offensive threat, but the Mariners will need Raleigh to find his groove if they want to fend off stiff competition in the AL West.

Why it matters

The Mariners' hot start has put the rest of baseball on notice, but their long-term success may hinge on getting their biggest power bat, Cal Raleigh, back on track. With the AL West shaping up to be a competitive division, the Mariners will need Raleigh's production to maintain their edge.

The details

Through the first four games of the season, the Mariners have hit eight home runs, second only to the Los Angeles Angels. However, the team's star catcher and 2025 home run king, Cal Raleigh, has been relatively quiet, with just one extra-base hit so far. Meanwhile, right fielder Luke Raley has emerged as the main offensive threat, hitting three homers in the opening series.

  • The Mariners are 2-2 to start the 2026 MLB season.
  • The Mariners will face the New York Yankees in a three-game series next.

The players

Cal Raleigh

The Mariners' star catcher and 2025 MLB home run king, who has been relatively quiet to start the 2026 season.

Luke Raley

The Mariners' right fielder, who has emerged as the team's main offensive threat with three home runs in the opening series.

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What they’re saying

“Even with all of that success, it still feels like something is missing?”

— Justin Bonhard, Author

What’s next

The Mariners will face the New York Yankees in a three-game series starting on April 1st, 2026.

The takeaway

The Mariners' powerful start to the 2026 season has put the rest of baseball on notice, but their long-term success may depend on getting their star catcher Cal Raleigh back on track. With the AL West shaping up to be a competitive division, the Mariners will need Raleigh's production to maintain their edge.