Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh said on Mar. 27 that he regretted not using the new automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system during a critical at-bat in the eighth inning of the team’s Opening Day game against Cleveland. The Mariners lost the game 6-4 at T-Mobile Park.
The incident highlighted both the team’s adjustment to Major League Baseball’s newly implemented ABS system and how decision-making under pressure can affect outcomes. Raleigh watched a close pitch go by for a called third strike but did not challenge, later saying, “Looking back, yeah, I should’ve done it. I didn’t think it was that far off. It was off. But it is what it is. You learn from it. I’m sure we’ll get more accustomed to it as the year goes on.”
Manager Dan Wilson explained that while pitchers are encouraged not to challenge balls and strikes themselves, catchers like Raleigh and Mitch Garver have been given discretion over such decisions this season. “But every hitter has the green light,” Wilson said regarding use of challenges, noting that players must balance when to use them based on game situations.
Despite four solo home runs from Seattle—including two by Dominic Canzone—the team could not overcome Cleveland’s offense or capitalize during key moments at bat. Canzone commented on his approach at the plate: “I’m just trying to hit line drives up the middle… just kind of staying with that approach and not coming off of it has helped me tremendously.”
Pitcher Logan Gilbert struck out seven without issuing a walk but gave up three runs due to two mistake pitches, including a first-inning homer by Chase DeLauter and a fifth-inning double by Brayan Rocchio after well-placed hits earlier in those innings. “Out of those three batters, I felt like [there was] one pitch that I wish I had back,” Gilbert said.
Wilson also discussed bullpen management after reliever Gabe Speier surrendered a go-ahead double in the seventh inning: “You have to weigh and make your adjustments on the fly,” he said.
As players adapt to MLB’s new technology-driven rules such as ABS—much like they previously adjusted to innovations like the pitch clock—Raleigh expressed optimism about learning from these early experiences: “So like anything, we’ll adapt — like the pitch clock, like everything else.”
