Cal Raleigh, the Mariners' star catcher, has ignited a thrilling home run chase, smashing his 60th home run of the season. This remarkable feat, achieved in a 9-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies, catapults him into a captivating contest with Aaron Judge's impressive AL home run record. Raleigh's two-homer performance not only solidified the Mariners' American League West division title but also dramatically intensified the AL MVP race.
"It's crazy. 60 is... I don't know what to say," a stunned Raleigh commented post-game. "I didn't know if I'd ever hit 60 in my life. What a way to do it!" His electrifying performance leaves him just two home runs shy of tying Judge's 2022 record of 62.
With three games remaining in the regular season, the pressure is on. Raleigh needs to hit three more home runs to break Judge's record, a feat that would etch his name into baseball history. Meanwhile, Judge himself boasts an impressive 51 home runs this season, his fourth time surpassing the 50-homer mark. This remarkable achievement underscores the exceptional talent driving this unprecedented home run chase.
The Mariners now face a strategic dilemma. Their pursuit of the AL's top seed and the possibility of securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs weighs heavily against the need to protect Raleigh, who's already played 155 games this season, with significant time behind the plate. Resting Raleigh, while potentially jeopardizing their playoff seeding, could be a necessary choice to preserve his health and avoid the risk of injury.
This fascinating situation adds another layer to the already intense playoff race. Seattle, with a three-game lead on the Guardians for the number two seed, also needs to determine how they will manage this situation to optimize their chances for a historic World Series run—a feat that has eluded this franchise in its history.
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Originally published at: https://nypost.com/2025/09/25/sports/cal-raleigh-reaches-60-home-runs-in-aaron-judge-chase/
