Texas Rangers Return Home Up 2-0 on Houston Astros; Max Scherzer to Start Game 3 in Arlington
ARLINGTON - The Texas Rangers continue their postseason winning streak and push it to seven games, coming away with a harrowing 5-4 win over the Astros in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Saturday.
The Rangers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 with an opportunity to punch their ticket to the World Series with two wins at home. Games 3, 4, and 5 will be played at Globe Life Field in Arlington before heading back to Houston for Games 6 and 7 if necessary.
More good news for Texas as pitcher Max Scherzer is ready to resume play and will start Game 3 for the Rangers on Wednesday according to manager Bruce Bochy.
"He's ready," Bochy said. "That's why he's starting Game 3. A few days ago back home, he threw 69 pitches to hitters and came out of that fine. And during that time he maintained his stamina stuff."
Scherzer, 39, has been out since Sept. 12 with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. Scherzer fought hard to rehab and return to the rotation in the Rangers' quest for their first World Series championship. Scherzer is well enough to have been placed on the ALCS roster on Sunday.
While Scherzer will take the mound for Game 3, the Astros have yet to name a starter.
Since coming over from the Mets at the MLB trade deadline, Scherzer has gone 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA. The Texas rotation experienced a rash of injuries near the end of the season that necessitated a trade for both Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery, the ALCS Game 1 winner.
Bochy added that Scherzer could've pitched Game 1 if needed.
"He was available yesterday," Bochy said. "In fact, he said he wanted to pitch yesterday if needed, if it went extra innings or something. But anyway it works out well that he can go Game 3. We're off tomorrow, give him an extra day. He's good to go. He's excited."
Scherzer will most likely be on a short pitch count for his first game back after a long layoff.
"First, we have tremendous trust in the player," Rangers general manager Chris Young told ESPN. "Max has been very upfront and honest with everything. He's not pushed himself when he's been feeling things, and we appreciate his honesty.
"I think going off what our eyes are showing us, how Max is feeling, what he's communicating to the staff and to some level what his stuff looks like, we'll make the best decisions possible based on that."
