Josh Naylor's looming paternity leave will set Mariners up for a tough test

After a disappointing start to the Division Series, the Mariners roared back by seizing a win in Game 2 despite having to face off against Tarik Skubal. With the next two games of the series to be played in Detroit, they'll have to win at least one game if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive, but they're already pulling up to Comerica Park short-handed.

Sudden departures can be frightening but in this case, it's good news. Josh Naylor and his wife, Chantel Collado, are hoping to be together for the birth of the couple's first child. As such, he's able to spend up to three days on the paternity list and the Mariners are able to call up one of the members of their squad to be a temporary replacement.

Josh Naylor did not travel with the team to Detroit due to a personal matter

Naylor was one of the team's best hitters in the final two months of the regular season, posting an impressive 138 OPS+ with nine home runs, 10 doubles, and 19 stolen bases in just 54 games. He hasn't yet found his stride in the postseason, currently logging just one walk in nine plate appearances. Still, he contributes a meaningful amount to the lineup when he is present, and the Mariners don't have a great replacement handy.

Aside from Naylor, the player with the most reps at first base is Luke Raley. He hit decently well while playing the positing this year, posting a 115 wRC+ but striking out 33.7 percent of the time. He has been used sparingly in the team's two playoff games so far, but is a clear candidate to serve as a substitute for the time being, especially since he also bats left-handed. Less orthodox options that the Mariners could still be open to trying are Miles Mastrobuoni and Eugenio Suárez, both of whom have been taking ground balls at the position alongside Raley.

All three players are more than capable of fielding the position, but the bigger concern is a loss of pop in the lineup. Raley has been battling nagging injuries all year and is a shadow of the hitter he was last year that posted a 128 OPS+. Suárez can absolutely hit pitches out of the park, but his rate of good contact is held down by poor swing decisions and an elevated chase rate as of late. Finally, Miles Mastrobuoni profiles more like a middle infielder than a first base slugger.

On the bright side, they've managed to get this far in the playoffs without much production from first base anyway. Furthermore, they're set to face off against Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize while in Detroit, both of whom are far less intimidating than Tarik Skubal. For the Mariners, Logan Gilbert will get the ball in the upcoming Game 3, followed by a potential bullpen game in Game 4. In light of a diminished offense, we could potentially see Seattle rely on their starting pitching and defense the way they have in years past.

Ultimately, this is a personal big moment for Naylor and his leave of absence is absolutely valid. However, it also means that Seattle will have a less-than-ideal infield arrangement. Seattle may be without their valuable trade deadline acquisition, but if there's any team that can find a way to eke out a win while on enemy territory, it's this Mariners squad.