'Awful' Raleigh takes blame as M's lose 5th in row
Cal Raleigh, saddled with a .159 average a year after finishing second in the AL MVP race, acknowledged his struggles after the Seattle Mariners' 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, telling reporters "I've got to find a way to be better."
The Seattle Mariners are in a tough spot right now, having lost their fifth straight game, and it seems like Cal Raleigh is feeling the weight of it all on his shoulders. His batting average has taken a significant dip from last season, and he's openly acknowledging that he's not meeting his own expectations. This kind of self-awareness and accountability is huge for a player, especially one who was considered an MVP candidate just a year ago.
Raleigh's struggles are a microcosm of the Mariners' season so far. After a strong 2022, the team has had a tough time replicating that success, and it's clear that they're missing the kind of production they got from Raleigh last year. The Yankees, on the other hand, are looking like a well-oiled machine, and this win is a big one for them as they continue to jockey for position in the AL East.
So what's next for the Mariners? They'll look to bounce back against the Yankees on Wednesday, and it'll be interesting to see if Raleigh can start to turn things around. Can he find a way to get out of this funk and start hitting like he did last season? The Mariners' playoff hopes are still alive, but they're going to need a lot more from Raleigh and the rest of the team if they want to make a run. We'll be keeping an eye on this one.
Originally reported by espn.com. TourNews adds analysis for sports & fitness readers.