The Texas Rangers, who took the fall by storm by winning all 7 of their postseason games, have been put on hold. Cy Young Award winning pitcher Max Scherzer (39)’s return in the third inning led to Texas’ first loss.
Scherzer started in Game 3 of the 2023 Major League Postseason American League Championship Series (ALCS, best-of-seven series) held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, USA on the 19th (Korean time) and allowed 5 hits in 4 innings against the Houston Astros. 1 home run) 1 walk, 1 out, 4 strikeouts, and 5 runs allowed, making him the losing pitcher.
Texas, where Scherzer pitched below expectations, lost 5-8, ending their 7-game winning streak in the postseason. Although the series record is still advantageous with 2 wins and 1 loss, Texas is worried that Houston’s spirit was saved. There is still a series left, but it appears that Scherzer has poured cold water on Texas, which was maintaining good momentum.
Scherzer’s regular season ended due to an injury to Dae Won-geun in the game against the Toronto Blue Jays on the 13th of last month. His return to baseball in the fall was also considered unlikely, but he showed incredible resilience at the age of 39. As Texas advanced to the ALCS, Scherzer was given the opportunity to start the fall baseball season, but the results were disappointing.
He started the first inning with a three-out error, but the trouble came in the second inning when he sent Jordan Alvarez to first base with a ball that hit his body. Houston had the bases loaded with one out thanks to Kyle Tucker’s walk and Mauricio Dubon’s left-field hit, and Jeremy Peña retired with a fly ball to second base, but Maldonado scored the first run with a wild pitch at the plate. The second pitch slider bounced and fell backwards. Jegu did not listen.
With 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd base, Scherzer threw a 93.9 mile (151.1km) four-seam fastball on the third pitch, but it was a high miss in the middle, leading to Maldonado’s 2-RBI, timely hit to left. In the third inning, Altuve caught Scherzer’s 94.6 mile (152.2 km) four-seam fastball high in the middle on the fifth pitch without missing a beat. Left right solo home run. In the 4th inning, Jose Abreu’s double to left-center and Dubon’s timely hit came to score Scherzer’s 5th run.
Scherzer’s total number of pitches on this day was 63, including 42 strikes and 21 balls. He threw four-seam fastballs (31), sliders (13), curves (11), cutters (5), and change-ups (3) with a maximum speed of 96.1 miles (154.7 km) and an average of 94.1 miles (151.4 km). The overall command was unusual. Not only his four-seam fastball, but also his main weapon, his slider, repeatedly fell into the middle.
According to local media such as MLB.com, after the game, Scherzer said, “Losing in the postseason is always difficult. There were some bad parts. He had his share of mistakes, and he paid the price, but he also had some good moments. Physically, I am in really good shape. “My arm responded well, and I feel like I still have strength left,” he said. “I don’t know exactly how I will be used in the future, but my arm is in good condition. “That is the most important thing,” he said, expressing confidence.
It was significant that he finished his return game healthy, which took place 36 days after his injury. Texas coach Bruce Bochy also said, “We did our best to prepare Scherzer for his appearance. Scherzer was also ready, and I have no regrets about hiring him,” he said. “He may be a little tired because he pitched after a month, but I was satisfied with his performance. He will get better. “The most important thing is that he is in good physical condition,” he said, looking forward to his next appearance. 토토사이트
If this ALCS goes to the final 7th game, it is highly likely that Scherzer will step up. If Texas ends within Game 6, Scherzer will prepare for the World Series. If Texas loses four games in a row and ends in Game 6, they will have to wait until next year.
At the end of July, Texas carried out a trade in which they sent shortstop prospect Luis Angel Acuña to the New York Mets in exchange for Scherzer. Although he is a veteran pitcher with an annual salary of 43.33 million dollars remaining on his contract next year, he threw a winning move to win the World Series. After moving to Texas, he recorded 4 wins, 2 losses, and an average ERA of 3.20 in 8 games (45 innings), which was better than when he was with the Mets (9 wins, 4 losses, 4.01 in 19 games).
However, he missed the final three weeks of the season due to injury, and although he returned in the postseason, he pitched disappointingly. In the 2019 postseason, Scherzer played an active role in 6 games (5 starts, 30 innings), 3 wins, 1 hold, and an ERA of 2.40, leading the Washington Nationals to their first World Series win, but he has been losing face in fall baseball for the past two consecutive years. In the first game of the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres last year when he was a member of the Mets, he collapsed with a loss, allowing 7 hits (4 home runs), no walks, 4 strikeouts, and 7 runs in 4⅔ innings. The next appearance is important to restore his shattered pride.