Max Scherzer, the 39-year-old right-hander, is looking to add two-time World Series champion to his illustrious résumé in his 16th Major League season. He was tabbed to start Game 3 of the World Series for the Rangers against the D-backs on Monday at Chase Field.
The Rangers acquired Scherzer from the Mets two days before the Trade Deadline with hopes of having opportunities like this, too. In eight regular-season starts with the Rangers, Scherzer went 4-2 and posted a 3.20 ERA before being sidelined in mid-September because of a right teres major muscle strain in his shoulder. He returned to start Games 3 and 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Astros, going 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA and pitching as deep as four innings. Scherzer said he can deliver his fastball at 100 percent.
The question mark is what his pitch count will be; he reached 63 in Game 3 and 44 in Game 7. With these factors in play, Scherzer is keeping his approach against the D-backs simple: “Execute pitches.” In three career World Series games, Scherzer is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA across 16 1/3 innings with 18 strikeouts to eight walks. Bochy and the Rangers have watched Scherzer deliver high-level postseason performances from a distance.
Now, he will be alongside them as they try to take a 2-1 series lead on opposing territory.