The Seattle Mariners travel to Rogers Centre on Friday, August 28, for a 7:15 PM ET showdown against the Toronto Blue Jays. Standing in Seattle's way is right-hander Dylan Cease, one of the more dangerous arms in the American League. The Mariners have yet to name a probable starter for this one, which adds an extra layer of intrigue heading into the evening. With the regular season grinding toward its final stretch, every road win matters, and this is a lineup the Mariners cannot take lightly. Coverage is available on Apple TV and on Seattle Sports 710 AM for those making the drive home.

Pitching Matchup: Dylan Cease vs. TBA for Seattle

Cease is the story on the mound Friday. The hard-throwing right-hander built his reputation on a wipeout slider and the ability to miss bats in bunches, and the Blue Jays acquired him knowing he could anchor a rotation. Without a confirmed Seattle starter, the Mariners' pitching staff enters this one with some uncertainty attached. However the M's manage it — whether that's a named arm or a bullpen-heavy approach — they'll need to keep Toronto's offense from getting comfortable early.

Toronto Blue Jays Lineup to Watch

The Blue Jays are running out a lineup that has legitimate run-scoring potential. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits third at first base and remains one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. George Springer slots in fourth as the designated hitter, giving Toronto a powerful one-two punch in the middle of the order. Jesús Sánchez follows at five. The top of the order features Brett Bateman leading off in center and Nathan Lukes batting second in right, with Andrés Giménez providing a solid defensive presence at shortstop down in the seven-hole. Brandon Valenzuela rounds out the nine-spot behind the plate.

Seattle Mariners Lineup

Seattle is sending out a lineup with some legitimate pop. Randy Arozarena leads off in left field, with Dominic Canzone hitting second as the DH. Julio Rodríguez bats third in center — as usual, Seattle's offense runs through J-Rod. Josh Naylor hits cleanup at first base, giving the M's a right-handed bat with thump in the middle of the order. Cal Raleigh follows at five behind the plate. Cole Young gets the start at second base batting sixth, Taylor Ward hits seventh in right, J.P. Crawford slots in at third batting eighth, and Brock Rodden draws the nine-hole at shortstop.

Keys to the Game for Seattle

• Solve Cease early: Cease is at his most dangerous when he's commanding that slider in the first two turns through the lineup. If Arozarena and Rodríguez can work counts and put something on the board in the first three innings, it changes the dynamic of the game entirely.
• Raleigh and Naylor deliver: The middle of this order — Naylor and Raleigh — has to come through against premium pitching. Both are capable of the big hit when Seattle needs it most.
• Pitching clarity: The unnamed starter situation is real. Seattle needs length or a plan, because burning through the bullpen on a Friday night on the road is not a recipe for series success.
• Keep Guerrero Jr. quiet: However Seattle's pitching staff is assembled Friday, the primary objective is straightforward — do not let No. 27 beat you. Guerrero has the ability to single-handedly change a game's momentum.

Prediction

This is a tough spot for the Mariners. Facing an elite pitcher on the road without a confirmed starter of their own is the kind of equation that tends to produce a rough box score. That said, this Seattle lineup has enough talent to scratch out runs against anyone, and if Raleigh or Naylor catches a Cease slider over the plate and does damage, the complexion of this game changes fast. Call it a competitive game that leans Toronto's way given the pitching advantage — but don't count the M's out. Prediction: Blue Jays 4, Mariners 3.