How Deep Can Texas Rangers' Max Scherzer Go in ALCS Game 3? 'No One Really Knows'
ARLINGTON, Texas — Max Scherzer doesn't know exactly how his arm will respond when he takes the mound for the Texas Rangers in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at 7:03 p.m. Wednesday at Globe Life Fied.
The three-time Cy Young winner last pitched in a game on Sept. 12, a 5 1/3 scoreless stint in a win at Toronto.
He's been on the injury list since with a teres major muscle strain in his right arm.
"When this injury happened, we were in that-four-to-six-week window [necessary rest]," Scherzer said. "You definitely knew the regular season was out of play. I took one day to feel bad about it, and the next day back to grinding, because I knew we had a team that could compete with anybody. If there's a chance I can come back, I'm going to do everything I can to put myself in position to make that on the four-week side."
That's exactly what he did. In fact, he nearly talked manager Bruce Bochy and Rangers staff into using him in the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles. They preferred to play it cautiously, Bochy said, for fear that Scherzer would re-injure his arm and be unavailable in the ALCS or World Series.
"And here we are. You can never quit in baseball. You can never try to predict baseball," Scherzer said. "I get to pitch. I'm thrilled about that. One opportunity to go out and get to pitch in the ALCS. So this is what you dream of."
Scherzer threw 69 pitches in a simulated game a week ago, which is probably close to his limit Wednesday night, he and Bochy said.
"It's definitely going to be different. I don't know how to answer that because I don't think there is an answer, trying to tackle something like this," Scherzer said. "All I can do is go out and give my all, go out and compete as long as I can. And that's all I can do is give everything I've got for tomorrow."
Bochy said he'll let Scherzer's performance dictate how long he goes.
"Obviously, we'll watch innings, how he feels, looking at the command, stuff, velo, things like that," Bochy said. "but he's been working pretty good, so he can get us at least in that area if not more."
Watching his team from the dugout as they've opened the playoffs 7-0 (one shy of the MLB record) has obviously been tough for Scherzer. He tried to be "realistic" about his chances to return.
"Postseason starts are precious. You're playing for a ring. When you get to this point in the year, this is what you dream of, all the sacrifices you make in your life, all the hard work you put in throughout the offseason is to get to this moment, to get to this spot," he said. "So I want to pitch. I want the ball. That's just how I tick. So, yeah, I'm always going to have conversations if I'm hurt to try to get back."
Still, returning from an injury for a postseason start is uncharted territory for Scherzer.
"I have no experience coming off an injury list a month off and trying to make a playoff start. It's my best guess what I will be able to do but no one really knows," he said. "It's how you handle the hand you're dealt and how you play it. I realize what I've got going forward for [Wednesday]. I realize the challenges I have for [Wednesday], but it's my job to navigate it and make the best of it."
You can follow Stefan Stevenson on Twitter @StefanVersusTex.
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