Max Scherzer Set To Join Historic MLB Postseason Club
The Texas Rangers gave away well-ranked prospect Luisangel Acuna to the New York Mets for the right to have ace Max Scherzer for at least a season-and-a-half.
When fully healthy, only a handful of MLB pitchers are better and more trustworthy than “Mad Max.”
The problem, for the Rangers, is that Scherzer might not be fully healthy.
After a good start to his Rangers tenure, he went down with a teres major strain (a right shoulder injury) in September.
Rest and rehab were necessary for him to return last week to make a Championship Series start against the Houston Astros.
Predictably, he wasn’t at his best.
Now, Scherzer will be tasked with starting the winner-take-all Game 7 of the ALCS, in Houston no less.
He will make history in the process, according to MLB stats expert Sarah Langs.
“Max Scherzer will be the 5th pitcher to start a winner-take-all game for 3 franchises, joining: Roger Clemens: BOS, NYY, HOU; Gerrit Cole: PIT, HOU, NYY; Zack Greinke: LAD, AZ, HOU; Jon Lester: BOS, OAK, CHC,” she tweeted.
Max Scherzer will be the 5th pitcher to start a winner-take-all game for 3 franchises, joining:
Roger Clemens: BOS, NYY, HOU
Gerrit Cole: PIT, HOU, NYY
Zack Greinke: LAD, AZ, HOU
Jon Lester: BOS, OAK, CHC— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 23, 2023
Scherzer played a World Series with the Detroit Tigers in 2012, which his team lost.
Then, he won it all with the Washington Nationals in 2019.
And now, at 39, he will have another rodeo with the greats.
Scherzer has a fine 3.80 postseason ERA with a 1.13 WHIP in 137.1 frames.
He has the experience and talent to thrive.
It will all depend on how healthy he is feeling.