Texas Rangers Should Consider Max Scherzer as Closer for Possible Playoff Return

If Max Scherzer is able to come back during during the postseason, would his value be greater as a closer than a starter?

The Texas Rangers know the odds of pitcher Max Scherzer returning to play at some point this postseason — assuming the club makes it — are long.

General manager Chris Young described it as “unlikely.” But not impossible.

Yet, Scherzer is on the road trip with the Rangers and as recently as Wednesday threw from a mound while trying to recover from his strained teres major.

But assuming that Scherzer finds a way to make it back while the Rangers are still playing, exactly what will he be ready to do? (Texas had its magic numbers hold firm – one to make the playoffs and two to win the American League West with three games left.)

Can Max Scherzer help a bullpen that's blown a MLB-high 33 saves this season? / © Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Starting pitchers need time to stretch out. Witness Nathan Eovaldi, who missed more than a month with his strained right forearm. When he returned in early September, he threw just 1 1/3 innings in his first start and didn’t pitch five innings until his fourth start.

The postseason won’t allow Scherzer that kind of time to stretch out. Sure, Scherzer could be an “opener” and perhaps throw an inning, maybe two.

But is there more value in using Scherzer as a closer, given the Rangers’ difficulties at the back end of their bullpen, which were only exacerbated by Aroldis Chapman’s struggles in Thursday’s 3-2 loss at the Seattle Mariners?

Texas has a MLB-high 33 blown saves this season, tying a franchise record set in 2002.

Scherzer hasn’t worked out of the bullpen in the regular season since he was a rookie with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008. But in the postseason, he’s made five relief appearances, including a save and two holds.

His last relief appearance in 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers resulted in his first career save in the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants. He struck out two and didn’t allow a run.

Before that, in 2019 with the Washington Nationals, he earned his second career postseason hold in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers as he struck out the side in a scoreless eighth inning.

His first career hold came in Game 5 of the 2011 ALDS as his Detroit Tigers faced the New York Yankees. He threw 1 1/3 inning of relief, giving up two hits and one earned run in a game the Tigers ultimately won.

He’s been beat up in relief, too. He gave up three hits and an earned run in Game 4 of the 2013 ALDS against the Oakland Athletics, though the Tigers won that game and Scherzer got the decision.

In 2017 with Washington, he pitched on two days’ rest in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs. He allowed three hits and four runs in the fifth inning.

Scherzer’s stuff isn’t in dispute — when he’s healthy. In his past two relief appearances, both one inning, he’s been dominant.

But could he be dominant in a relief role for the Rangers so soon after an injury?

Scherzer has to get healthy first. But if the Rangers are looking for bullpen help, he’s an option that comes with postseason experience. It also gives the future Hall of Famer a chance to contribute in a relief window that makes sense in October.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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