After a brief absence due to core soreness, Cal Raleigh is back in the Mariners lineup—but he'll start at designated hitter on Tuesday night. While the team has been vague about the specifics of his injury, the important thing is that Raleigh is active again. For now, he'll be limited to DH duties, which means Mitch Garver will handle catching duties against a right-handed pitcher, and Dominic Canzone will start the game on the bench. Still, having Raleigh back in the lineup is a positive sign, and fans can hope he'll return behind the plate soon.

On the mound, George Kirby takes the ball for Seattle in what has been an unconventional start to the 2026 season. Kirby is walking more batters than ever before and striking out fewer, but he's also posting a 56.5% ground ball rate—the fifth-best in all of baseball. That approach has translated to a 2.84 expected ERA, which ranks among the top 10 in the majors. It's a contact-oriented style that seems to be working, but tonight he'll face his toughest test yet: the Braves, who boast one of the most dangerous lineups in the game.

Atlanta counters with right-hander Bryce Elder, who has been a reliable arm for the Braves. For a deeper look at Elder's strengths and weaknesses, check out our series preview from Jake Mailhot.

Game details: First pitch is on Mariners TV, with Aaron Goldsmith and Dave Valle on the call and Angie Mentink providing field analysis. For radio listeners, tune into Seattle Sports 710 AM, where Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith will bring you all the action.