In a tightly contested match on Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell to the Kansas City Royals, suffering their sixth consecutive loss, ending the game 4-3. Salvador Perez's eighth-inning home run against Isaac Mattson sealed the Pirates' fate at Kaufman Stadium.

The Royals established a commanding lead early, with Perez's solo homer in the second and Jac Caglianone's stunning 466-foot two-run blast in the fourth. However, the Pirates fought back in the sixth, with Oneil Cruz grounding out to bring in a run. Ke'Bryan Hayes then stepped up, hitting a two-run single to level the score.

Kris Bubic's effective pitching kept the Pirates at bay until the sixth inning. The matchup showcased the Royals' resilience, with timely hitting and strong pitching, while the Pirates showcased determination despite their extended losing streak.

Cal Raleigh, the Seattle Mariners' switch-hitting catcher, has made waves in Major League Baseball by leading the league with 35 home runs as of July 6. This impressive tally puts him just 13 home runs shy of the all-time record for catchers in a full season, currently held by Salvador Perez at 48.

Raleigh’s achievement is particularly notable as it ties him for fifth place for the most home runs before the All-Star Break, alongside legends like Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey Jr. Notably, he is also the first switch-hitter to surpass 30 home runs before the break. While the Mariners have six road games left before the All-Star Break, Raleigh has shown strong performance away from home, suggesting he may continue to challenge these records as the season progresses.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face the Kansas City Royals in a compelling matchup at Chase Field, with Eduardo Rodriguez pitching for the Diamondbacks and Kris Bubic on the mound for the Royals. Rodriguez has been impressive lately, limiting opponents to no more than two runs in his last five starts, showing signs of consistency with a 4.09 ERA against Kansas City in his career.

Bubic, despite his recent struggles, boasts a strong changeup that has yielded a .155 average against hitters. The Royals are seeking to address their offensive shortcomings, averaging just 3.3 runs per game, which is the lowest in the American League. Their starting rotation, highlighted by Bubic, remains a key strength.

The Kansas City Royals are set to face the Seattle Mariners in a pivotal matchup at T-Mobile Park. Kansas City, boasting a record of 40-46, will send Noah Cameron to the mound, while Seattle, with a slightly better standing at 44-41, counters with Logan Gilbert. Both pitchers are looking to rebound after recent struggles; Cameron's last outing saw him give up five earned runs in just four innings against the Dodgers, while Gilbert allowed four runs over 5.1 innings against the Rangers.

In their previous game, Salvador Perez delivered a standout performance for the Royals, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs, helping to secure a decisive victory over the Mariners. As the teams prepare for the game, current odds favor the Mariners at -181 with a total of 7.0 runs. Betting trends indicate the Mariners excel at home following a loss, and the last five encounters between these clubs have exceeded the total runs. With these dynamics, fantasy players should keep an eye on how each pitcher performs as the game unfolds.

Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners has hit an impressive 32 home runs, leading the majors this season. This feat places him only two home runs shy of his career high, and he is on track to potentially break the record for home runs by a catcher in a single season, currently held by Salvador Perez at 48. Raleigh's performance is particularly remarkable given the deadened state of the baseballs this season, which hampers overall offensive output.

Raleigh's success comes despite the Mariners' historically low home run output and the unfavorable conditions of their ballpark, ranked poorly for home runs. Additionally, Raleigh's heavy workload as a catcher, requiring him to be in the lineup almost daily, adds to the significance of his accomplishments. His rising status in the American League MVP race indicates how pivotal his contributions have been for Seattle.