The Toronto Blue Jays are trusting the formula that brought them within one win of the World Series.
Manager John Schneider will running out the same batting order for Monday's Game 7 that he did for Sunday's 6-2 Game 6 victory.
Designated hitter George Springer, who left Game 5 early after being hit on the knee by a pitch, will continue to lead off.
"I got hit in the kneecap, it's not ideal," Springer said. "So it's not necessarily the best thing, but at this point I'm going to play."
He'll be followed by left-handed outfielder Nathan Lukes, slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and clean-up hitter Alejandro Kirk to round out the top four.
The Blue Jays batters will face Mariners right-hander George Kirby, who struggled in Game 3 when he allowed eight hits and eight earned runs over just four innings of work.
Toronto's lineup is slightly different for Game 7 than it was during that 13-4 win, as Anthony Santander, who batted fourth, has since been removed from the roster with injury.
Still, eight of the nine batters who torched Kirby just last Wednesday will get the chance to do so once again with the ALCS and a trip to the Fall Classic on the line.
Meanwhile, former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber will start for the Blue Jays on the mound.
Bieber tossed six strong innings to earn the Game 3 win, striking out eight while surrendering two runs on four hits and one walk.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson made a few changes to his lineup for Game 7.
Victor Robles replaced Dominic Canzone in right field and Josh Naylor of Mississauga, Ont., moved up a spot to third in the order with Jorge Polanco moving into the cleanup spot.
The Blue Jays last reached the Fall Classic in 1993 when they won a second straight title. Seattle has never reached the World Series.
Live coverage of Game 7 on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ begins with Blue Jays Central at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
–With files from The Canadian Press

4:29

