Texas Rangers Reveal Max Scherzer Plan for ALCS Against Houston Astros

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy laid out the Max Scherzer pitching schedule for the ALCS, but left room for change.

Now that Max Scherzer is on the Texas Rangers’ postseason roster, the next question is when will he pitch?

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy shed some light on that during his pregame press conference before Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Bochy told reporters that the plan is for Scherzer to start Game 3 on Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington. But there’s a caveat — that’s only if the Rangers don’t need him in relief in either of the first two games in Houston.

The Rangers are starting left-hander Jordan Montgomery in Game 1 against Houston right-hander Justin Verlander. Nathan Eovaldi goes in Game 2 against Houston left-hander Framber Valdez.

Game 3 is shaping up to be Scherzer against Astros right-hander Cristian Javier, who threw a bullpen session on Sunday. But, like the Rangers, the Astros have not made an official determination of a Game 3 starter.

Scherzer had been out since Sept. 12 with a strained teres major muscle (upper shoulder). The Rangers have left him off both the AL Wild Card and the Division Series rosters.

Scherzer threw a simulated game Wednesday at Globe Life Field, during which he threw 68 pitches. Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux was impressed, saying that Scherzer “didn’t skip a beat from (pitch) 1 to 68.”

Scherzer then threw a bullpen Friday and took pitchers fielding practice and told media that he was “ready to go,” but that it would be up to team management and doctors to make the final determination.

Scherzer is back on the pitching staff after missing five weeks for a injury that normally has a recovery time of 8-12 weeks.

Scherzer was 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 45 innings since joining the Rangers via a trade on Aug. 1. Scherzer is 7-7 with one save in 27 postseason appearances, with a 3.58 ERA and 164 strikeouts in 133 1/3 innings.

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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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