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

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

Raleigh’s play this season shows how good he is at offense, even if there are questions 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, especially his ability to hit for power at key times, which is something that goes beyond debates about catching technique.

The Blue Jays’ hold on the ALCS title got stronger after Max Scherzer pitched like he used to and tied the series at two games apiece. Toronto got ready for a Game 5 pitching rematch between Kevin Gausman and Bryce Miller, hoping to move on to the World Series. Johnson’s comments about 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 chances of winning the championship, besides the defensive talks and pitching matchups that are part of playoff baseball. As the Blue Jays fight 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, one player could come back 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 make it to the World Series against Seattle, shortstop Bo Bichette’s return would be an enormous boost for Toronto’s offense. His left knee injury on September 6 against the Yankees cut short what had been a career-defining season and kept him off the original ALCS roster.

Bichette was going for the American League hits title with 181 hits in 139 games before he got hurt. 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 took a run at being ready for this original ALCS roster before feeling some discomfort, is absolutely an option for the World Series if Toronto can advance.” 

Bichette’s rehabilitation has progressed steadily through running drills and conditioning work, though he remains sidelined pending full medical clearance. Matheson reported that “Bo Bichette is getting closer to being considered as an option for the Blue Jays, and he continued to crank up his running Thursday, but he’s not quite cleared yet to return from his left knee sprain.” The injury has proven stubborn, resurfacing during his recovery efforts before the ALCS began.

If Toronto beats Seattle, Bichette’s bat could be very useful in a possible World Series game against the Dodgers, who are up 3-0 against Milwaukee. His ability to hit would give the Blue Jays important depth at a key position during the biggest games of the year.