Reeling Houston Astros Reveal ALCS Game 3 Starter Against Texas Rangers

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is turning to Cristian Javier in must-win American League Championship Series Game 3 showdown at the Texas Rangers.

HOUSTON – The Houston Astros aren't on life support yet after losing 5-4 to the Texas Rangers in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, but their hopes of returning to the World Series are critical. 

Now, manager Dusty Baker turns the ball over to perhaps Houston's ace in the hole these past two postseasons. He needs to be with the Astros reeling in a 2-0 hole. 

Baker announced Monday evening that right-hander Cristian Javier will start Game 3 Wednesday night at Globe Life Field. The Rangers will counteract with right-hander Max Scherzer, who's set to make his first start in over a month. 

Javier dominated the Minnesota Twins in a 9-1 win last Tuesday to take a 2-1 lead in the ALDS, delivering five innings of one-hit baseball. Despite walking five batters, he also struck out nine. 

And this version of Javier is dangerous. It's also not a fluke. Last postseason, Javier struck out 16 batters while allowing just one run in three starts. He also kick-started a combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series with nine strikeouts in six frames.

Astros Game 3 starter Cristian Javier has a 1.91 ERA in 15 career postseason outings.  / © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

This isn't to say Javier is perfect. He struggled with his command during the regular season, posting career-highs in ERA (4.56), WHIP (1.27) and issued walks (66). He also posted an 0-3 record in September with a 4.73 ERA in six starts.

Javier could be one of those pitchers who thrive in high-stake situations, similar to Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, who worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning to keep Texas ahead by two. In 15 postseason appearances, Javier has a 1.91 ERA to match his .96 WHIP.

In 37.2 innings, he's also posted a 2.7 strikeout-to-walk-ratio and owns a 0.0 WAR.

Scherzer, 39, hasn't pitched in the majors since Sept. 12, when he was placed on the injured list with a teres major strain in his right shoulder. Initially, it was expected to be season-ending, but Scherzer was determined to retake the mound in hopes of being a factor in the World Series run.

Last week, Scherzer threw 68 pitches in four innings of a simulated game in Arlington. He later threw another bullpen session prior to Game 1 of the ALCS. 

"We're off tomorrow, give him an extra day. He's good to go," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Monday. "He's excited. Believe me, he's been wearing me out a little bit, just assuring us that, hey, I'm healthy, I'm ready to go."

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