Houston Astros Counting on Crocodile to Get Past Texas Rangers in ALCS Game 3

The chances of the Houston Astros getting back in the American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers fall largely on Cristian Javier.

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers are going to face “El Reptil” Wednesday night in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

For those needing a translation, it’s The Reptile. That’s Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier, who’s tasked with basically keeping their season alive. Down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, the 2022 champs can’t afford to lose the first ALCS game at Globe Life Field and realistically expect to defend their title.

Texas is aiming for a 3-0 series lead with ace Max Scherzer returning to the mound for the first time in more than a month. 

The Astros lost both games in Houston, and never led in either. Houston manager Dusty Baker was asked Tuesday about the need to get on the board and experience some early success in Game 3.

Max Scherzer is making the start for Texas opposite Cristian Javier in ALCS Game 3 / © Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

“I want to feel success at the end of the game,” he said. “That’s all I’m worried about. And I’ve been in all kind of scenarios. I’ve been up 2-0 and lost. I’ve been down 2-0 and won. I’ve been down as a player three games back with three games to go and we tied it up. So it’s like I’m not giving it to them yet.”

The odds are certainly with the Rangers just being up 2-0. Getting up to three games at home needing to win two is a prime spot for Texas’ march to the third World Series trip in franchise history.

That’s where Javier comes in for Houston. As much as Justin Verlander is the staff ace and Framber Valdez is a Cy Young candidate – the Rangers beat both in Houston – “El Reptil” is a cold-blooded postseason hunter.

The 26-year-old native of the Dominican Republic turns in up when it matters most. In 15 career playoff appearances, Javier is 5-1 with a 1.91 ERA. He’s struck out 57 batters in 37 2/3 innings.

Javier won Game 4 of the last season’s World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, going six innings in the combined no-hitter. The Astros, who were down 2-1 in the series at the time, won 5-0. He won Game 3 over the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS, as Houston took a 2-1 series edge.

In three career postseason starts, the right-hander has allowed one or fewer hits in each. That’s never been done before in MLB history.

And he does it with a sense of calm and poise.

“Yeah, that’s just something that’s been within me,” Javier said. “That’s not really something I’ve worked on in the past. But my job is to go out there, not let the game speed up on me and just try to stay relaxed.”

Sounds like certain reptile lying in wait. By the way, his favorite of the species is the crocodile.

Why?

“Crocodiles seem like they’re calm,” Javier said. “But when they get in the water, they can get aggressive.”

Will Rangers Get Maximum Scherzer In Game 3?

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