Mariners shuffle batting order for pivotal Game 5 of ALCS

Oct 17, 2025, 12:10 PM | Updated: 12:35 pm

Seattle Sports

SEATTLE – The Seattle Mariners shuffled their batting order for Friday’s pivotal Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays at T-Mobile Park.

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Julio Rodríguez moved from the three hole to the leadoff spot, while Randy Arozarena moved from the leadoff spot down to the No. 5 spot.

Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor each moved up one spot, with Polanco now in the three hole and Naylor batting cleanup. J.P. Crawford and Dominic Canzone swapped spots, with Crawford moving up to No. 7 and Canzone moving down to No. 8.

And for the second straight game, Leo Rivas will bat ninth and start at second base. Victor Robles is out of the lineup for the second straight game.

The changes come after the Blue Jays outscored the Mariners 21-6 in a pair of dominant victories in Games 3 and 4 to even the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Game 5 will feature a rematch of the pitching matchup from Game 1, which the Mariners won 3-1 in Toronto. Right-hander Bryce Miller will start for Seattle, while two-time All-Star right-hander Kevin Gausman will take the mound for the Blue Jays.

Here’s the Mariners’ Game 5 lineup:

1. Julio Rodríguez, CF
2. Cal Raleigh, C
3. Jorge Polanco, DH
4. Josh Naylor, 1B
5. Randy Arozarena, LF
6. Eugenio Suárez, 3B
7. J.P. Crawford, SS
8. Dominic Canzone, RF
9. Leo Rivas, 2B

Back to work. Let’s get after it. #SeizeTheMoment pic.twitter.com/x0A1XiLP1y

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 17, 2025

Miller had a brilliant Game 1 start in Toronto, allowing just one run and two hits over six strong innings. He allowed a first-pitch leadoff homer to George Springer in the first inning, but yielded only one hit the rest of the way and retired 17 of the final 19 batters he faced.

The Blue Jays are rolling out the same lineup they had for their 8-2 win in Game 4. Here’s their Game 5 lineup:

1. George Springer, DH
2. Nathan Lukes, LF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
4. Alejandro Kirk, C
5. Daulton Varsho, CF
6. Ernie Clement, 3B
7. Addison Barger, RF
8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 2B
9. Andrés Giménez, SS

Let’s Geaux. #WANTITALL pic.twitter.com/irGCtF2SFb

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 17, 2025

Gausman threw 5 2/3 innings in Game 1, allowing two runs on three hits. He held the Mariners scoreless through the first five innings and had retired 16 straight batters before Raleigh blasted a 420-foot solo homer in the sixth. It was also Raleigh’s fourth homer in 17 career at-bats against Gausman.

Game 5 of the ALCS is scheduled for 3:08 p.m. Friday at T-Mobile Park. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports will begin at noon with an extended pregame show. The TV broadcast will be on FS1.