The Seattle Mariners evened their ALDS series against the Detroit Tigers with a 3–2 win on Sunday, snapping a 24-year home playoff victory drought before heading to Comerica Park for Game 3.
The biggest storyline heading into the next game will be the availability of Seattle’s first baseman, Josh Naylor. The left-handed slugger played in the first two games of the series, yet his absence is incoming as he awaits the birth of his child. Naylor’s absence will loom large as he has been a force in Seattle’s lineup since arriving at the trade deadline from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The 28-year-old had begun to heat up in the last month of the regular season, posting a .364 batting average, .398 on-base percentage, .982 OPS, four home runs and 19 RBIs over his last 22 appearances.
Naylor’s wife, Chantel Collado, had been staying in Arizona with the baby expected to be born this past Saturday. Naylor had been prepared to leave the team that same day, yet remained in the lineup for both Games 1 and 2.
With Game 3 set for Tuesday, the Mariners announced via manager Dan Wilson that Naylor had not traveled with the team to Detroit and his status for the next two playoff games is uncertain.
“Josh Naylor did not make the trip with the Mariners to Detroit, Dan Wilson just said. Unclear if he’ll be available during Games 3 and 4,” wrote MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer.
If Naylor is unavailable for the next two games, it will be a huge blow to Seattle’s lineup. Although Naylor has struggled over the first two games of the series (0 for 8) from the plate, his track record suggests he has the ability to bounce back. Despite splitting the first two games of the series, the Mariners have produced just five runs as a team and the pitching staff has kept the club in games.
Mariners’ Dan Wilson Announces Josh Naylor News Before Tigers Game
