Josh Naylor Joins Mariners, Expected to Boost Offense in Cleanup Role

New Seattle Mariners slugger Josh Naylor, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks, is set to bat cleanup in his first game with the team, embracing the pressure of the role. Naylor, a career .267 hitter with a .773 OPS, posted a .292 batting average, .807 OPS, 11 homers, 19 doubles, and 59 RBIs in 93 games with the D-backs this season. His impressive hitting, including a .310 average with an .888 OPS against right-handed pitching and strong performance with runners in scoring position, is expected to provide a significant offensive upgrade over Donovan Solano and Luke Raley, and boost the Mariners' playoff probability from 79.4% to 81.7%.