TORONTO — Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday night showcased why Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners’ catcher, is being considered for the Most Valuable Player title.
Despite the fact that MVP votes were already cast before the playoffs began, his contributions during this pivotal game against the Toronto Blue Jays emphasized his significance to the Mariners.
The Mariners triumphed with a 3-1 victory, marking a monumental win given the recent challenges the team faced.
Only days earlier, they survived a grueling 15-inning battle to defeat the Detroit Tigers in the Division Series and were tasked with a cross-country flight to Toronto in preparation for this game.
Right-hander Bryce Miller, making his first career start on three days’ rest in this game, faced tremendous pressure, especially as it marked the team’s first ALCS appearance in 24 years.
Cal Raleigh, who caught 209 pitches in the previous game, played multiple vital roles throughout the night, demonstrating his prowess as a slugger, receiver, and a vital line of communication for the pitchers.
Raleigh’s ability to dominate pitchers like Kevin Gausman showcased his talent; he not only held his own but also avenged earlier comments made by Blue Jays manager John Schneider regarding his batting ability.
Although I don’t have a vote in the AL MVP race, I personally see merit in the historic seasons both Raleigh and Aaron Judge had in 2023.
The notion of a tie, reminiscent of the 1979 NL race, would be appropriate as both players delivered remarkable performances in different aspects of the game.
What Raleigh is doing on the field night after night is astonishing, especially considering the crucial defensive responsibilities he carries as a catcher along with his exceptional batting capabilities.
During the game on Sunday, Raleigh made significant contributions that were central to the Mariners’ success.
In the sixth inning, after Gausman had retired 15 consecutive batters, Raleigh hit a homer that tied the game, marking a key moment for the team.
Notably, this home run came after an intense mound visit to help Miller stabilize after a rough start in the first inning, which included a first-pitch home run by George Springer and two walks.
After the visit, Miller went on to pitch six strong innings, while Raleigh expertly managed scoreless innings from three different relievers.
The Mariners demonstrated their defensive strength, especially after witnessing the Jays score 34 runs against the Yankees in their previous series.
In a remarkable feat, the Mariners retired 23 of the final 24 hitters, finishing the game efficiently with just 100 pitches.
Cal Raleigh, characterized as a stalwart by his go-to nickname, remains a tough competitor despite playing through various aches and pains.
Since the postseason began, Raleigh has excelled against Gausman, having achieved 8-for-17 with four homers throughout his career against the elite right-hander.
At Rogers Centre, he boasts a batting average of .315 and has hit nine homers with 19 RBIs, a statement to his prowess as a visiting player.
Following the game, much of the discussion revolved around his approach to helping Miller during the tumultuous first inning.
Miller jokingly noted that while he doesn’t remember the specifics of Raleigh’s words during that visit, he appreciates the catcher’s sense of humor, which helps lighten the mood on the mound.
Mariners’ Game 2 starter, Logan Gilbert, shared his own observations about Raleigh’s “weird mound visits” and how they sometimes appear awkward even as they serve a purpose.
However, both Miller and Gilbert acknowledge that Raleigh has a knack for timing these visits perfectly to help pitchers regain focus and composure.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson commended Raleigh’s calming influence during a first inning that had the potential to spiral out of control.
While the Mariners found themselves trailing 1-0 entering the sixth inning, Raleigh had already established himself as a focal point of the team’s strategy against Gausman.
His initial at-bat resulted in a single, but he later struck out after Gausman threw a series of split-fingered fastballs.
However, Raleigh returned in the sixth ready to capitalize, getting ahead in the count before blasting a split-fingered fastball to right-center for his 62nd home run of the season.
Afterward, Raleigh simply stated he focused on making contact, not wanting to strike out again.
His homer not only energized the team but also shifted the momentum of the game significantly.
Mariners hitting coach Kevin Seitzer praised Raleigh’s approach, highlighting how well he makes adjustments during games.
This success comes on the heels of previous comments from Schneider in April, who perceived Raleigh as vulnerable and believed he was easier to pitch to when executed correctly.
Schneider had made those remarks after a game in which Raleigh had already demonstrated his offensive potential.
In light of his own earlier quote, Schneider recently reflected that those comments were ill-advised and expressed his admiration for Raleigh’s capabilities as both a player and a catcher.
On the field Sunday night, Raleigh further validated Schneider’s newfound respect by performing at a high level and playing a key role as the Mariners advanced in the postseason.
Raleigh’s postseason stats are stellar, with a batting average of .400, while the rest of his Mariners teammates have struggled considerably at the plate.
Raleigh has caught every inning of every game thus far, demonstrating his endurance and skill behind the plate.
As fans and analysts eagerly await the MVP announcement in November, Raleigh continues to show why he deserves recognition for both his offensive and defensive contributions to the Mariners.
For now, he readies himself to take the field again in Game 2, prepared to deliver another stellar performance for his team.
image source from：nytimes
