Julio

Rodríguez

Rodríguez drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk in the third inning. His steal is the first of the season, and assuredly not the last after forging a 30/30 season in 2025. He’s started to pick things up, and fantasy managers should do anything but panic about his .194/.286/.258 slash.

Not only did Rodríguez get his first homer of the season with a 426-foot tank to center, it was a big one as it tied the game at 7-7. He also doubled for his first multi extra-base hit game of the season. Rodríguez has been a notorious — maybe the most notorious — slow starter in baseball, but there’s simply no denying that he’s among the best talented players regardless of position. Cal Raleigh also homered, and it appears the big boys for Seattle are starting to pick it up.

The man some call J-Rod was having a rough game before the knock, although it’s worth noting he had a 111 mph lineout earlier in the contest. He was able to come up with a clutch two-out single to knock in Cal Raleigh in the ninth; the second game-tying hit in just 10 games for the 25-year-old. It’s just a matter of time before Rodríguez starts driving the baseball with more regularity, but the mediocre starts are a bit flustering.

Rodríguez was hitless coming into the ninth inning in his first three games, but he picked a heck of a time to get that first knock. He laced a single to right-center to score Cole Young with two outs to tie the game at 3-3. He also drew a walk, so he’s now hitting .091/.231/.091 over the first three contests. More fireworks for J-Rod should come soon, but it’s worth nothing he’s gotten off to poor starts in each of his previous campaigns.

The 22-year-old second baseman is coming off of a very impressive Cactus League season. He’s expected to function in the strong side of a platoon for the M’s, though that role could expand while J.P. Crawford is shelved, which could allow him to carve out some deep league fantasy value. He’s the full alignment that manager Dan Wilson will send out on Opening Day: Brendan Donovan (3B), Cal Raleigh (C), Julio Rodriguez (CF), Josh Naylor (1B), Randy Arozarena (LF), Luke Raley (RF), Dominic Canzone (DH), Cole Young (2B) and Leo Rivas (SS).

Caminero has been one of the driving forces behind the Dominican Republic’s relentless onslaught during the international tournament, hitting .275 (6-for-16) with two homers and six RBI through five contests. He’ll help anchor a star-studded lineup as the Dominican Republic faces Team USA ace Paul Skenes at loanDepot Park in Miami with a berth in the World Baseball Classic final at stake. Here’s the full lineup: Fernando Tatis Jr. (RF), Ketel Marte (2B), Juan Soto (LF), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Manny Machado (3B), Caminero (DH), Julio Rodríguez (CF), Austin Wells (C) and Geraldo Perdomo (SS).

J-Rod has picked up three hits in his first five at-bats in the Cactus League. The 25-year-old has been one of the best players in baseball over the past four seasons, but has done so in spite of terrible starts to his campaigns. Perhaps 2026 is the year that it all clicks to begin the season.

Rodríguez poked a double down the left-field line against Toronto starter Shane Bieber to open the contest before Josh Naylor delivered a run-scoring single to right field to put Seattle ahead. He took Bieber deep in the third inning for his fourth big fly of the postseason. It wouldn’t be enough as the Mariners’ bullpen coughed up the lead in the late stages of the contest and Rodríguez wound up striking out against Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman to end it.

Naylor, who is batting .341 (15-for-44) with three homers this postseason, has been moved up in Seattle’s lineup with Jorge Polanco dropped to the cleanup spot as they attempt to make the World Series for the first time in the franchise’s 49-year history. The only other significant change involves Victor Robles in right field in place of Dominic Canzone. Here’s the full lineup: Julio Rodríguez (CF), Cal Raleigh (C), Naylor (1B), Polanco (DH), Randy Arozarena (LF), Eugenio Suárez (3B), J.P. Crawford (SS), Leo Rivas (2B) and Robles (RF).

The Game 5 revamp worked out pretty darn well, so the Mariners are running it back tonight. The lineup: Rodríguez (CF), Cal Raleigh (C), Jorge Polanco (DH), Josh Naylor (1B), Randy Arozarena (LF), Eugenio Suárez (3B), J.P. Crawford (SS), Dominic Canzone (RF) and Leo Rivas (2B).