Kirby is BACK, Woo Continues Hot Start, and Dumper on Pace for History

The Seattle Mariners have experienced a rollercoaster of a season so far, with moments of brilliance and stretches of struggle. However, recent performances by key players like George Kirby, Bryan Woo, and Cal Raleigh offer plenty of reasons for optimism. In this article, we dive into the latest updates on these standout Mariners and analyze the team’s current state as they navigate a challenging stretch of the 2025 season.

George Kirby: Redemption on the Mound

After a tough start to the 2025 season and a frightening incident last week, George Kirby has finally returned to form in a big way. Kirby was hit in the face by a pitch during his outing against Baltimore, an injury that visibly affected his performance. Prior to that, his first three starts were rough, posting an 8.56 ERA and allowing 13 earned runs over 13 2/3 innings.

But on the mound in Anaheim, Kirby showed the Mariners and their fans the pitcher they know and love. He delivered the best start of his career, pitching seven innings with 14 strikeouts, allowing only two hits and two earned runs. The runs came off a two-run homer by Taylor Ward, but beyond that, Kirby was simply dominant.

His fastball was consistently reaching 96-97 mph with pinpoint accuracy, and he expertly used his slider to expand the strike zone when needed. This performance not only ended the Mariners’ five-game losing streak but also marked a turning point for Kirby, who surpassed 500 career strikeouts during the game, sitting at 509 strikeouts over 93 career starts.

Having a fully healthy and dialed-in George Kirby is a game-changer for Seattle’s rotation, which has struggled overall with a 4.02 ERA as a team. Kirby’s resurgence injects confidence into the pitching staff and gives the Mariners a solid foundation moving forward.

Bryan Woo's Historic Consistency

If Kirby’s recent start was a highlight, Bryan Woo’s season-long consistency has been nothing short of remarkable. Woo has now recorded 12 consecutive outings with six innings or more pitched to start the season, a feat that places him among some of the best Mariners pitchers in franchise history.

To put this into perspective, only a handful of Mariners have had longer streaks like this, including Randy Johnson with 20 outings in 1993, Mark Langston with 17 and 14 outings in 1987 and 1988 respectively, and Cliff Lee with 13 outings in 2010. Woo is just one outing away from tying Cliff Lee’s streak.

Looking beyond the streak, Woo’s overall performance ranks him among the franchise’s best in multiple categories in his first 51 career games:

• First in base runners allowed (299)
• Second in runs allowed (107)
• Second in RA (3.29)
• Fewest hits allowed (229)
• Third in fewest walks
• Fourth in winning percentage
• Seventh in strikeouts

Additionally, Woo and George Kirby are the only two pitchers in Mariners history to record more than 250 strikeouts while issuing fewer than 55 walks in their first 51 games. Woo’s control and durability have been critical assets, reflected in his ability to consistently pitch deep into games; he has thrown six innings in 20 of his last 23 starts.

Historical Comparisons and Milestones

Woo’s start also places him among just three Mariners pitchers to have at least 60 strikeouts and 10 or fewer walks in their first 11 starts of a season, joining Marco Gonzalez (2020) and Cliff Lee (2010). His durability and effectiveness are rare traits that bode well for the Mariners' rotation stability.

Logan Evans: Seizing the Opportunity

While the Mariners have been managing injuries to key starters Bryce Miller and Logan Gilbert, Logan Evans has stepped up admirably. In six starts for Seattle, Evans has posted an impressive 2.83 ERA over 35 innings, the lowest ERA among the young Mariners starters in their first six career starts.

One of Evans’ standout performances came on May 27th against the Nationals, where he pitched eight innings on just 88 pitches, allowing only four hits, one run, and one walk while striking out four. He was on the cusp of a “Maddux” — a complete game shutout on fewer than 100 pitches — before the Mariners’ bullpen situation in the eighth inning ended his outing.

Evans’ steady performance makes a compelling case for him to retain a rotation spot, especially as Bryce Miller struggles to find his form this season. Miller has logged a 5.73 ERA and a 1.521 WHIP over 48 2/3 innings, with his walks per nine innings doubling compared to last year. It’s clear the Mariners should be patient with Miller, allowing him to work through his issues in AAA, while Evans continues to show he belongs at the major league level.

Andrés Muñoz: The Shutdown Closer

Turning to the bullpen, Andrés Muñoz — affectionately known as “Senor Smoke” — continues to be an elite closer for Seattle. Muñoz recorded his 18th save of the season recently and boasts an impressive 1.35 ERA in 27 appearances. His strikeout-to-walk ratio remains outstanding, with 35 strikeouts against just 10 walks (two intentional).

Opponents are hitting a mere .144 against Muñoz this year, reflecting his dominance on the mound. Notably, he began the season with 24 consecutive outings without allowing an earned run, setting a Mariners record for innings pitched to start a season without an earned run (23.2 innings). Muñoz was also named the April AL Reliever of the Month, underscoring his impact.

Cal Raleigh: A Historic Power Surge

On the offensive side, Cal Raleigh has been nothing short of spectacular. Known affectionately as “The Big Dumper,” Raleigh is on pace for a historic season, especially for a catcher. Through 63 games, he has already hit 26 home runs with 53 RBIs, batting .272 with a .380 on-base percentage and a .655 slugging percentage — combining for an OPS of 1.035.

Raleigh’s Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+) of 198 indicates his bat is performing 91% above league average this year, a remarkable achievement. He is the first catcher in MLB history to reach 20 home runs before the end of May and the fifth fastest player ever to hit 25 home runs by early June.

Historic Feats and Comparisons

Raleigh’s power surge places him in elite company alongside legends like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Albert Pujols, and Shohei Ohtani. He is tied with Alex Rodriguez for the fourth most multi-home run games in Mariners history, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, and Jay Buhner.

On May 27th, Raleigh became the first catcher in MLB history to homer from both sides of the plate in a game, hit two home runs from the left side in another game, and two homers from the right side in the same season. This versatility is a rare and valuable asset.

Speed and Versatility

Beyond power, Raleigh’s seven stolen bases tie a franchise record for catchers, matching Bob Kennedy (1984) and current manager Dan Wilson (1997). His combination of power and speed is exceptional for his position.

Right-Handed Hitting Improvement

One of the most surprising aspects of Raleigh’s season is his dramatic improvement as a right-handed hitter. Last year, his right-handed batting average was just .183 with a .251 on-base percentage and a .695 OPS. This year, he’s batting .299 with a .341 on-base and a 1.03 OPS from the right side, including eight home runs. This leap has made him a more complete hitter and an even greater threat in the lineup.

Team Performance: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite these individual highlights, the Mariners have struggled as a team recently. After a strong offensive start to the season, the team has cooled off since May 20th, posting a 6-12 record in their last 18 games and going 4-10 in their last 14. During this stretch, the offense has been roughly league average or slightly below.

The Mariners’ pitching has also faltered, ranking near the bottom of MLB in ERA (4.56), Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) at 4.6, and wins above replacement (0.4) since May 20th. They have struggled with home runs allowed and strikeouts per nine innings but have maintained excellent control with walks per nine innings at 2.48, one of the best marks in baseball.

Offensive Standouts and Struggles

Since May 20th, only five Mariners players have posted a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) above league average:

• Cal Raleigh (267) — leads all of baseball during this stretch
• Miles Mastrobuoni (216)
• J.P. Crawford (151)
• Donovan Solano (137)
• Julio Rodriguez (115)

On the flip side, several regulars have struggled, including Jorge Polanco (-1), Ben Williamson (95), Randy Rosario (77), and Dylan Moore (27). The team’s overall batting average during this stretch is .241, and their on-base percentage is .303, with a walk rate of just 6.9%, both below league average.

Looking Ahead: The Road Forward

The Mariners face a tough stretch of games ahead. They begin with a three-game series in Arizona against the Diamondbacks, followed by home series against the Guardians and Red Sox. Afterward, they embark on a 10-game road trip to face the Cubs, Twins, and Rangers. With the trade deadline approaching, every game counts as the Mariners look to solidify their playoff position.

With emerging stars like George Kirby returning to form, Bryan Woo’s continued excellence, and Cal Raleigh’s historic offensive pace, Seattle has the building blocks for success. However, the team must find more consistency from its offense and pitching staff to capitalize on these bright spots.

Final Thoughts

Seattle Mariners fans have plenty to be excited about despite recent struggles. George Kirby’s dominant return, Bryan Woo’s franchise-level performance, and Cal Raleigh’s power surge highlight the potential of this team’s core. Meanwhile, Logan Evans’ strong start offers hope for rotation depth, and Andres Munoz remains a steady presence in the bullpen.

As the season progresses, the Mariners need to harness these strengths and address weaknesses, particularly on offense and in the pitching staff’s overall consistency. With a challenging schedule ahead, the team’s resilience and ability to adapt will be key to making a push in the competitive AL West.

Stay tuned as the Mariners continue to write their 2025 story, and keep an eye on the players making headlines for all the right reasons.