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    Teren Kowatsch
    Teren Kowatsch
    Oct 17, 2025, 20:15
    Updated at: Oct 17, 2025, 20:15

    Julio Rodriguez will lead-off for the Mariners in a major shift to the offense from the last several months

    SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners will be looking to swing momentum back in its favor in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays at 3:08 p.m. PT on Friday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

    The Mariners won the first two games of the ALCS at Rogers Centre in Toronto, and the Blue Jays promptly responded by taking Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven series on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

    Seattle outscored Toronto 13-4 in the first two games of the ALCS, but have been outscored 21-6 since returning to the Pacific Northwest.

    With the lead in the ALCS on the line, the Mariners made a major lineup change ahead of Game 5 of the ALCS on Friday.

    Seattle moved center fielder Julio Rodriguez to the lead-off spot and left fielder Randy Arozarena to the five-hole.

    Arozarena has been the team's lead-off hitter since the trade deadline, when the team acquired third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

    The lineup for Game 5 of the ALCS is as followed: Rodriguez leading off, catcher Cal Raleigh hitting second, designated hitter Jorge Polanco batting third, first baseman Josh Naylor in the cleanup spot, Arozarena No. 5 in the order, Suarez hitting sixth, shortstop J.P. Crawford in the seven-hole, right fielder Dominic Canzone batting eighth and second baseman Leo Rivas rounding out the lineup hitting ninth.

    Arozarena has been lauded for his playoff numbers in his career, but has been in a slump dating back to the last month of the regular season.

    In September, Arozarena scored 13 runs in 25 games and hit three doubles and a home run with 10 RBIs. He stole seven bases in nine attempts and slashed .220/.316/.280 with a .596 OPS.

    In the postseason entering Friday, Arozarena has crossed home plate eight times in nine games and has hit a double and a home run with two RBIs. He's swiped four bags and has slashed .158/.273/.263 with a .536 OPS. He's drawn three walks and has been hit by a pitch three times.

    The Mariners weren't able to hold on to the multi-game lead in the ALCS. The hope is the change will rejuvenate the lineup and the team can head back to Canada having regained the lead in the series.

    Bryce Miller will start for Seattle in Game 5 of the ALCS and Kevin Gausman will start for the Blue Jays.

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