Max Scherzer on returning from injury to pitch in the ALCS: ‘This is what you dream of’
It wasn’t clear if Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer would pitch again this season after an arm injury in September ended his regular season.
Now the 39-year-old pitcher and three-time Cy Young Award winner is set to start Wednesday’s Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Globe Life Field.
Scherzer wasted no time in attacking his rehab the only way he knew how.
“I took one day to feel bad about it. And then the next day I was back to riding because I knew we have a team that can compete with anybody, and that if there’s a chance to still come back, I’m gonna do everything I can to put myself in position to make that on the four-week side,” Scherzer during a media availability on Tuesday.
When the Rangers traded for Scherzer at the MLB Trade Deadline they did so to offsetthe loss of Jacob deGrom whose season was ended by an arm injury in June.
Through Scherzer’s first six starts, he went 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA and the Rangers’ replacement plan seemed to be working.
Then he strained his right teres major muscle and was thought by many to be done for the season. Yet, Scherzer never gave up on returning and said throughout the playoffs he was preparing in hopes of returning to the mound.
The Rangers will hand the ball to Scherzer with the Rangers holding a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.There are few pitchers in the Majors better suited to this moment.
Despite being out for more than a month, the 16-year veteran said he’s ready for the challenge.
“Yeah, it’s definitely gonna be different...all I can do is go out there and give my all, go out there and compete as, as long as I can, listen to my arm and that’s all I can do. Give everything I got for tomorrow,“ said Scherzer. “I have no experience of coming off an injury... and trying to make a playoff start. So you know, it’s my best guess what I will be able to do but no one really knows.”
He said every postseason is “precious.”
“This is what you dream of.”
Scherzer has made three starts in the World Series, winning one with the Washington Nationals in 2019.
That playoff run was one of the best of Scherzer’s career; he went 3-0 with a 2.40 ERA in 30 innings.
Over his career, he’s pitched in 18 playoff series, with a 7-7 record and 3.58 ERA in 133.1 innings.
Scherzer will be on a pitch count of sorts according to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who set a baseline of 69 pitches, explaining thatScherzer’s velocity, command and comfort will all play a part.
With a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Astros, Scherzer is primed for the moment.
“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,” Scherzer said.
This story was originally published October 17, 2023 at 7:54 PM.
