Randy

Arozarena

That’s a huge get for Mexico. They did get a quality performance from Austin Barnes behind the plate last time around, but Barnes is pretty much out of the league at this point. Mexico has also confirmed that Randy Arozarena and Jarren Duran will participate once again. Duran backed up Alek Thomas in 2023, but he’ll surely be a lineup fixture this time around. One big remaining question is whether Isaac Paredes will be allowed to participate while coming off his hamstring injury.

Arozarena went 9-for-20 with a homer and nine RBI in the 2023 WBC. Duran played behind Alek Thomas in center and finished 0-for-5. He’ll of course be a starter this time. In 2023, the other outfield spot went to Alex Verdugo, so a change is probably coming there. Perhaps young Rangers outfielder Alejandro Osuna could join the mix.

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).

Rivas started in Game 4 with Victor Robles shifting to the bench and that’s the same alignment that the M’s will use against Kevin Gausman on Friday evening. Here’s the full lineup: Julio 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 Rivas (2B).

Rivas will get his first postseason start with a struggling Victor Robles heading to the bench as Seattle tries to mix some things up following a Game 3 rout at the hands of the Blue Jays. Here’s the full lineup: Randy Arozarena (LF), Cal Raleigh (C), Julio Rodríguez (CF), Jorge Polanco (DH), Josh Naylor (1B), Eugenio Suárez (3B), Dominic Canzone (RF), J.P. Crawford (SS) and Rivas (2B).

If it ain’t broke... The lineup: Arozarena (LF), Cal Raleigh (C), Julio Rodríguez (CF), Jorge Polanco (2B), Eugenio Suárez (3B), Josh Naylor (1B), Dominic Canzone (DH), Victor Robles (RF) and J.P. Crawford (SS).

Naylor has yet to depart for Arizona to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, which means he’s still in there for a critical Game 2 showdown against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. The 28-year-old slugger figures to head out on paternity leave at some point during the best-of-five series. Here’s the full lineup: Randy Arozarena (LF), Cal Raleigh (C), Julio Rodríguez (CF), Jorge Polanco (2B), Eugenio Suárez (3B), Naylor (1B), Mitch Garver (DH), Victor Robles (RF) and SS J.P. Crawford.

Naylor could wind up missing time during the ALDS if his wife goes into labor, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. The 28-year-old slugger is expected to fly to Arizona to be with his wife for the birth of their first child — due Saturday — once she goes into labor. It’s a developing situation, but it appears Naylor will be in there on Saturday night at T-Mobile Park for the outset of the best-of-five series. Here’s the full lineup to face Detroit’s bullpen: Randy Arozarena (LF), Cal Raleigh (C), Julio Rodríguez (CF), Naylor (1B), Jorge Polanco (2B), Eugenio Suárez (3B), Dominic Canzone (DH), Victor Robles (RF) and J.P. Crawford (SS).

Arozarena put the Mariners on the board in the third inning with a three-run blast off Matthew Liberatore. He then drove in a fourth run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, plated four of Seattle five runs in the win over St. Louis. The 30-year-old outfielder is hitting .244/.342/.452 with 27 homers, 88 runs scored, 73 RBI, and 27 steals across 629 plate appearances.

Arozarena always seems to find some extra motivation when he faces his former organizations. The 30-year-old fantasy stalwart has already established a new career-high in the home run department and is on pace to eclipse the career-best 32 thefts he posted back in 2022 when he was with Tampa Bay.