<\/p>\n
A little more than a week ago, Seattle\u2019s visit to Kansas City had the potential to be important for both teams in the American League wild-card race.<\/p>\n
However, with the Mariners aiming for a 10th straight victory and the Royals mired in an untimely rough stretch, this three-game set that begins Tuesday night has lost some luster.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 6, Kansas City won its third consecutive contest to stay one game behind Seattle for the final wild-card spot in the AL.<\/p>\n
Since then, however, the Mariners (82-68) have outscored Atlanta, St. Louis and the Los Angeles Angels 66-23 during a nine-game winning streak. That has them one game ahead of Houston in the AL West race prior to the Astros\u2019 home game Monday night against the Texas Rangers.<\/p>\n
Their winning spree included Cal Raleigh\u2019s 54th homer of the season on Sunday against the Angels, which matched Mickey Mantle for most single-season home runs by a switch-hitter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe job is not over,\u201d Raleigh told ROOT Sports. \u201cWe still have a job to do out there and win every night. \u2026 Put ourselves in a good position.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Mariners have been busy winning every night, the Royals (75-75) were busy getting outscored 42-27 during a 2-6 stretch that has dropped them six games behind the Astros for that final wild-card spot. Worse yet, the Rangers and the Cleveland Guardians have climbed over the Royals in the chase.<\/p>\n
Catcher Salvador Perez has tried to keep the Royals afloat. He hit his 300th career home run Saturday at Philadelphia and finished the weekend with three homers in two games.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never know what\u2019s going to happen in this game,\u201d Perez told FanDuel Sports Network. \u201cKeep playing hard until the last inning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fresh off a 7-0 homestand, Seattle eyes a third consecutive road win. Meanwhile, as Raleigh looks to break Mantle\u2019s record, he\u2019s also two shy of matching Ken Griffey Jr.\u2019s club-best 56 home runs in a season (set in 1997, equaled in \u201898).<\/p>\n
Raleigh has hit four of his six career homers against the Royals at Kansas City. However, he is 0-for-12 with a walk and three strikeouts against scheduled Royals starter Michael Wacha (9-11, 3.45 ERA). Teammate J.P. Crawford, batting .348 over the last 14 games, is 7-for-17 with a home run against the veteran right-hander.<\/p>\n
The Mariners used one big inning to get the best of Wacha during a 6-2 home win June 30. Wacha didn\u2019t give up a run until the fourth, then allowed four in his fifth and final inning. Randy Arozarena took Wacha deep for a solo shot in the fourth and a three-run blast in the fifth.<\/p>\n
Wacha is slated to come off the seven-day concussion list to make his first start since Sept. 5, when he yielded a run, two walks and four hits while striking out five in 5 2\/3 innings of Kansas City\u2019s 2-1 home win over Minnesota.<\/p>\n
The Mariners counter with Logan Gilbert (4-6, 3.54 ERA), who is 1-1 with a 2.38 ERA in his last four starts. On Wednesday against the Cardinals, the right-hander allowed a solo homer among five hits and struck out eight in 4 2\/3 innings during Seattle\u2019s 4-2 victory in 13 innings.<\/p>\n
Gilbert yielded only one run and three hits with seven strikeouts during a 3-2 win over Kansas City on July 2, but he only lasted 4 2\/3 innings as he walked three.<\/p>\n
Perez and fellow Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. are a combined 12-for-28 with three homers versus Gilbert.<\/p>\n
\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n