Randy Johnson doesn’t hold back Cal Raleigh’s terrible game flaw as Blue Jays tighten grip on ALCS title

Randy Johnson, a legendary pitcher, joined the discussion on the defensive mechanics of Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh. He wonders why baseball analysts have mostly avoided addressing one of the game’s most controversial technical issues. As the Blue Jays moved closer to winning the ALCS, Johnson’s comments brought attention back to Raleigh’s one-knee catching stance, which is now the norm in Major League Baseball.

Johnson’s critique gained traction through his direct observation: “The announcers won’t say anything about the 1 knee catch, will they? How’s that going for Seattle?” His uncertainty is part of a larger discussion in baseball about the effectiveness of the one-knee stance that Raleigh often uses behind the plate. An MLB.com analysis from July 2025 showed that catchers who used this stance had better defensive value than those who used the traditional two-knee stance. However, the data tells a more complicated story. The knee method now accounts for 96 percent of all pitches received in the majors. This makes his statistical advantage a bit misleading, as the positive numbers show how common he is, not how good he is.

Raleigh’s play this season shows how good he is on offense, although questions arise about his defensive strategies. During the regular season, the 27-year-old hit 60 home runs and drove in 125 runs, making him one of the best offensive players in Major League Baseball. His .247 batting average and .359 on-base percentage showed how valuable he was to Seattle’s lineup, particularly his ability to hit for power at key times, which goes beyond debates over catching technique.

The Blue Jays’ grip on the ALCS title strengthened after Max Scherzer pitched as before and tied the series at two games apiece. Toronto prepared for a Game 5 rematch between Kevin Gausman and Bryce Miller, hoping to advance to the World Series. Johnson’s comments on Raleigh’s mechanics added some interest to the playoff story, but the outcome of the series would be decided by execution rather than philosophy, leaving questions about defensive strategy unanswered under the pressure of October baseball.

Toronto has another interesting story that could change its championship chances, besides the defensive chatter and pitching matchups that are part of baseball’s playoffs. As the Blue Jays battle the Seattle Mariners for a spot in the World Series, the timeline for an injured shortstop’s recovery has become a possible game changer. If Toronto beats the Mariners, a player could return and give the offense the boost it needs to compete at the highest level.

Bo Bichette could be the Blue Jays’ secret weapon in the World Series

As the Blue Jays try to advance to the World Series against Seattle, the return of shortstop Bo Bichette would be a huge boost for Toronto’s offense. His left knee injury on September 6 against the Yankees interrupted what had been a career-defining season and kept him off the original ALCS roster.

Bichette was chasing the American League hitting title with 181 hits in 139 games before getting injured. He had a .311 batting average and finished tied for second in the majors, just three hits behind Bobby Witt Jr. According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, “Bichette, who also tried to be ready for that original ALCS roster before experiencing some discomfort, is absolutely a World Series option if Toronto can advance.”

Bichette’s rehabilitation has progressed steadily through running drills and fitness work, although he remains sidelined awaiting full medical clearance. Matheson reported that “Bo Bichette is close to being considered as an option for the Blue Jays, and he continued to increase his running on Thursday, but he’s not quite cleared to return from his left knee sprain yet.” The injury proved nagging and resurfaced during his recovery efforts before the start of the ALCS.

If Toronto beats Seattle, Bichette’s bat could be very useful in a potential World Series game against the Dodgers, who lead 3-0 against Milwaukee. His hitting ability would give the Blue Jays significant depth at a key position in the biggest games of the year.