Cal Raleigh finds power and Phillies reduce strikeouts in late season push

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is experiencing a power surge after adjusting his batting stance in mid-August. By raising his hands higher, Raleigh has improved his swing path and contact rate, hitting eight home runs in his last 14 games. Despite the improvement, the Mariners remain outside the current postseason picture following a recent string of losses. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies have significantly reduced their team strikeout rate since the All-Star break. The team’s strikeout percentage dropped from 23.5% to 18.9% in the second half, aiding their pursuit of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. This offensive adjustment coincides with improved performances from Alec Bohm, Bryce Harper, and Bryson Stott as the club competes for a potential Wild Card Series bye.

• 2:00 PMCBS MLB — MLB trends: Has Cal Raleigh figured it out? Plus, how the Phillies stopped striking out and an Angels fix