Manager John Schneider is sticking with his winning formula.
The Toronto Blue Jays will roll out the same lineup for Friday’s Game 5 that they did for Thursday’s 8-2 victory in Game 4.
Toronto’s bats have been hot since landing in Seattle, scoring 21 runs on 29 hits across two games to even the American League Championship Series at 2-2.
With outfielder Anthony Santander now officially off the roster, Addison Barger will once again take his spot in right field, with Ernie Clement shifting over to third base and Isiah Kiner-Falefa backfilling at second.
Barger, who had been playing third for the entire post-season run, was pressed into immediate outfield action in Game 4, but responded with a pair of diving grabs while throwing out a runner at third base to end a Mariners threat.
In the Mariners dugout, however, there is a different approach on the heels of two straight losses.
While manager Dan Wilson will send out the same nine, lead-off man Randy Arozarena was dropped to fifth in the order with Julio Rodriguez, who has two home runs this series, taking his spot.
Slugging first baseman Josh Naylor, of Mississauga, Ont., will move into the clean-up role after going 3-for-3 in Game 4, including a home run.
Elsewhere, MVP candidate Cal Raleigh sticks in the second spot.
Meanwhile, the pitching duel will be a rematch from Game 1, with Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman facing Mariners righty Bryce Miller.
Miller limited the Blue Jays to just one run — a leadoff homer from George Springer — over six innings in that contest, picking up the win.
Eight of the nine Blue Jays who started that game are back in the lineup for Game 5, with Kiner-Falefa — who went 2-for-3 with three runs in Game 4 — for Santander the lone exception.
Toronto will have left-handed outfielder Joey Loperfido, switch-hitting catcher Tyler Heineman and right-handers in Myles Straw and Davis Schneider available off the bench.
Live coverage of Game 5 will be available on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, with first pitch set for 6:08 p.m. ET / 3:08 p.m. ET.
Game 6 is set for Sunday in Toronto, while Game 7, if necessary, would take place Monday at Rogers Centre as well.
