Cal Raleigh's record 31st HR powers the Mariners to a 14-6 win over the Cubs on June 23, 2025, clinching a historic first-ever series win at Wrigley Field.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
You can't script it much better than this. The Seattle Mariners didn't just win a series against the Cubs at the iconic Wrigley Field—they made history, securing their first-ever series victory there. And leading the charge was none other than Cal Raleigh, who is currently on a home run tear for the ages, capping the weekend with a massive 14-6 victory.
With his 30th home run, Cal Raleigh set a new first-half record for switch-hitters, then blasted his 31st the next day, his fourth of the series.
The friendly confines weren't so friendly to the Cubs this weekend, thanks largely to Cal Raleigh's scorching hot bat. The 'Big Dumper' was a one-man wrecking crew, smashing four home runs in the series, including his 30th and 31st of the season. His 30th homer on Saturday officially set a new first-half record for switch-hitting batters, a truly remarkable milestone. His power was the engine behind a potent offense that exploded for 14 runs on Sunday, clinching a landmark series win for the franchise. It's the kind of momentum-building performance that can define a season.
There's no time to rest on their laurels. The Mariners (39-37) roll into Minneapolis tonight to take on a Minnesota Twins team (37-40) that's going in the opposite direction. While the M's have won six of their last ten, the Twins have dropped a staggering nine of their last ten. Seattle sends the steady Bryan Woo (6-4, 3.12 ERA) to the mound against Bailey Ober (4-4, 4.54 ERA). On paper, this is a series the Mariners should win, providing a golden opportunity to continue climbing the AL West standings.
While the offense is firing, the pitching staff is navigating some challenges. The good news first: reliever Trent Thornton is recovering well and expected to be okay after a scary heat exhaustion incident over the weekend. However, the starting rotation is still feeling the absence of Bryce Miller, who is on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation. He recently received a PRP injection and is thankfully not considering surgery, but he's not expected back until after the All-Star break. Fellow righties Collin Snider (forearm strain) and Victor Robles (shoulder) are also on the mend, targeting July and September returns, respectively. The team's depth will be tested in the coming weeks.
Riding the high of Cal Raleigh's historic weekend and a statement series win, the Mariners are in a prime position. The upcoming series against the slumping Twins is a critical chance to build a real winning streak before the All-Star break. If the offense can stay hot and the pitching can hold strong despite the injuries, this could be the stretch that solidifies their place as true contenders in the American League.
