Lineup: Mariners open big road series against Blue Jays

The Seattle Mariners are back in Toronto on Friday for the first time since their heartbreaking loss in Game 7 of the 2025 American League Championship Series.

Mariners-Blue Jays Series Preview: Playoff atmosphere in Toronto

Their lineup for the opener of a three-game series against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre looks quite a bit different than it did in their final game last October.

Five Seattle players who started in Game 7 last are in the lineup Friday: Left fielder Randy Arozarena, center fielder Julio Rodríguez, first baseman Josh Naylor, catcher Cal Raleigh and third baseman J.P. Crawford. Dominic Canzone, who pitch hit in Game 7, is also in order Friday as the designated hitter.

Right-hander Emerson Hancock, who was in the bullpen during last year’s playoff run, is getting the start on the mound in the series opener.

Below is a full look at Seattle’s batting order as it faces off with American League Cy Young Award candidate Dylan Cease.

1. LF Randy Arozarena
2. DH Dominic Canzone
3. CF Julio Rodríguez
4. 1B Josh Naylor
5. C Cal Raleigh
6. 2B Cole Young
7. RF Taylor Ward
8. 3B J.P. Crawford
9. SS Brock Rodden

Game 1 north of the border 🫡

📺 Apple TV
📻 KTTH 770 AM pic.twitter.com/PpeCAhb0xG

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 28, 2026

The Mariners’ are making their annual trip north of the border at a time when their Canadian first baseman is among the hottest hitters in their lineup. Naylor, who has a .314 batting average with one homer in 12 career games in Rogers Centre, is hitting a team-best .325 (minimum 25 plate appearances) with an .818 OPS and two homers in 20 games this month.

Naylor and the Mariners will be tasked with trying to solve Cease, who has a 2.37 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while striking out an AL-high 209 batters over 144 1/3 innings this year. The right-hander struck out nine and held the M’s to three hits and one walk over seven shutout innings at T-Mobile Park on July 3.

Below is a look at the Blue Jays lineup that will face Hancock, who also spun seven shutout innings against Toronto on July 5.

1. CF Brett Bateman
2. RF Nathan Lukes
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
4. DH George Springer
5. LF Jesus Sánchez
6. 3B Kazuma Okamoto
7. SS Andres Giménez
8. 2B Ernie Clement
9. C Brandon Valenzuela

CEASE DAY 😤 #BlueJays50 pic.twitter.com/uUCxvi75Oi

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 28, 2026

The Mariners and Blue Jays begin their three-game series at 4:15 p.m. Friday. Radio coverage on Seattle Red 770 AM and the Seattle Sports app begins with the pregame show at 3 p.m.

Seattle Mariners news and more

• Where Seattle Mariners’ AL West race with Astros and Rangers stands
• Why MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger believes Mariners will win AL West
• Passan: What stands out about M’s rookie pitcher Kade Anderson

Related

Mariners-Blue Jays Series Preview: Playoff atmosphere in TorontoSeattle Sports Radio Info: How to find Friday’s Mariners, Seahawks gamesThe Mariners’ top candidates for September callupsAL West Check-In: Astros re-hire former pitching coach in new roleIs a bullpen role in Bryce Miller’s future?MLB proposes limited free agent signing period; union criticizes plan