The Toronto Blue Jays produced six runs, 11 hits and four extra-base hits in Game 6 while tying the ALCS on Sunday night. Hence, manager John Schneider’s lineup card will look exactly the same for tonight’s Game 7.
In the other dugout, to aid the Seattle Mariners’ quest to reach in the World Series for the first time, manager Dan Wilson has made a few alterations.
Wilson has moved hot-hitting first baseman Josh Naylor (.341, 3 homers) from the cleanup position to third while moving suddenly icy DH Jorge Polanco (1-for-13, 0 RBIs over the last four games) into the No. 4 spot.
Wilson, who often tinkered with his lineup in the regular season, has benched left-handed-hitting right fielder Dominic Canzone (3-for-27 in the ALCS) in favor of right-handed Victor Robles, who will make his fourth appearance in the series. This move goes against Canzone’s platoon advantage against right-handed pitchers, as he posted a .308 average and .524 slugging percentage against them in 201 regular-season plate appearances.
Robles, who missed most of the regular season with a shoulder injury, batted .213 in 66 plate appearances versus right-handers.
Robles will hit ninth, behind second baseman Leo Rivas, who has gone 1-for-10 against Toronto in the ALCS.
Right-hander George Kirby (0-1, 7.07) will be on the mound for the visiting Mariners. He opposes righty Shane Bieber (1-0, 4.15), who threw six strong innings in Toronto’s 13-4 victory in Game 3.
Kirby will have to contain red-hot hitters Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (.462, 6 HR, 12 RBI in 10 postseason games) and Ernie Clement (.447) in the middle of the Blue Jays’ order.
Mariners
1. Julio Rodriguez (R) CF
2. Cal Raleigh (S) C
3. Josh Naylor (L) 1B
4. Jorge Polanco (S) DH
5. Randy Arozarena (R) LF
6. Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
7. J.P. Crawford (L) SS
8. Leo Rivas (S) 2B
9. Victor Robles (R) RF
Blue Jays
1. George Springer (R) DH
2. Nathan Lukes (L) LF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
4. Alejandro Kirk (R) C
5. Daulton Varsho (L) CF
6. Ernie Clement (R) 3B
7. Addison Barger (L) RF
8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
9. Andres Gimenez (L) SS
Game 7 starters: George Kirby (Sea.) vs. Shane Bieber (Tor.)
