The Seattle Mariners head into Thursday’s series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers looking to claim the three-game set after bouncing back from an ugly defeat.
Seattle suffered a 22-0 thrashing in the opener Tuesday night, one of the more lopsided losses in recent franchise history. The club responded Wednesday with a 7-5 victory that evened the series and set up a decisive matchup at T-Mobile Park.
Right-hander George Kirby is scheduled to start for the Mariners. Milwaukee will counter with left-hander Robert Gasser. The pitching matchup gives Seattle a solid chance to finish the series on a high note before the next stretch of the schedule.
Manager Dan Wilson has made a notable adjustment to his lineup for the finale. Catcher Cal Raleigh, who went 0-for-3 while starting behind the plate and batting seventh on Wednesday, will sit out the entire game.
Johnny Pereda draws the start at catcher and will handle the pitching staff for Kirby. Designated hitter duties, a role Raleigh often fills when he is not catching, go to Taylor Ward.
The full Mariners batting order for Thursday lists Brendan Donovan at third base, Randy Arozarena in left field, Dominic Canzone in right field, Julio Rodríguez in center field, Josh Naylor at first base, Taylor Ward as the designated hitter, Cole Young at second base, Johnny Pereda catching, and Ben Rodden at shortstop, with Kirby on the mound.
Raleigh’s absence marks a rare full day off for the veteran. He has been a fixture in the lineup for much of the season despite ongoing struggles at the plate.
The 2026 campaign has proven difficult for the catcher after a breakout performance the previous year. In 2025, Raleigh led Major League Baseball with 60 home runs and 125 runs batted in, finishing second in American League Most Valuable Player voting.
This season has brought a sharp decline in production. Through 93 games and 334 at-bats, Raleigh is hitting .156 with a .296 slugging percentage and a .568 on-base-plus-slugging mark. He has collected 52 hits, 13 home runs and 44 RBIs.
The numbers represent a significant drop from the power and consistency he showed a year ago. Wilson’s decision to give him rest comes as the club evaluates how best to manage its roster during a competitive stretch.
Seattle entered the series looking for consistency after earlier ups and downs. The rebound win on Wednesday provided some momentum, and the club hopes to carry that into the finale with a revised lineup.
Pereda’s start behind the plate offers the young catcher an opportunity to contribute while Raleigh recovers. Ward’s placement in the designated hitter spot adds another veteran bat to the middle of the order.
The series has already delivered high drama, from the historic margin of Tuesday’s loss to the competitive win that followed. Thursday’s game will determine which team leaves Seattle with the series victory.Kirby has been a reliable presence in the rotation for the Mariners this season. Matching him against Gasser creates an intriguing pitching duel that could decide the outcome early.
Wilson has shown a willingness to mix and match his lineup based on matchups and rest needs. Sitting Raleigh entirely reflects that approach after the catcher’s quiet night at the plate Wednesday.
Fans at T-Mobile Park will see a different look in the batting order as the Mariners aim to close out the series successfully. The adjustments come at a time when every win carries added weight in the standings.
Raleigh remains a key piece of the club’s long-term plans despite the current offensive challenges. A day off could help him reset as the season moves deeper into August.
The Mariners will look to build on Wednesday’s result and secure the series before shifting focus to the next opponent on the schedule.
