Astros vs. Rangers ALCS Game 3 starting lineups and pitching matchup 2023

With the Rangers firmly in control of the American League Championship Series after two close victories in Houston, the series now moves to Arlington as Texas looks to push the Astros to the edge of elimination in Game 3. The Rangers are just two wins away from their first World Series appearance since 2011. Meanwhile, the defending World Series champions, the Astros, have thrived on the road, winning 16 of their last 19 away games, including a dominant sweep of Texas at Globe Life Field. Astros third baseman Alex Bregman acknowledges that the Rangers are a formidable opponent, but the Astros are focused on executing better and taking each game and pitch one step at a time.

The Rangers are currently undefeated in the postseason, matching the 2022 Astros’ second-longest winning streak to begin the playoffs in AL history. With the support of the home crowd and a historical advantage, Texas is in a strong position. Historically, teams that have taken a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven postseason series have won 75 out of 89 times.

The game will be televised on FS1 at 8:03 p.m. ET/7:03 p.m. CT on Wednesday. Fans can also stream the game on MLB.TV with authentication. The starting pitchers for the game will be Cristian Javier for the Astros and Max Scherzer for the Rangers. Javier has shown his ability to perform under pressure in the playoffs, while Scherzer, returning from an injury, brings playoff experience and a championship pedigree.

The lineups for both teams have seen some changes. Astros manager Dusty Baker has moved Kyle Tucker down in the batting order due to his recent slump, while Michael Brantley has been moved up due to his success against Scherzer. Mauricio Dubón will start in center for the Astros. On the other side, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy made adjustments for Game 2 against lefty Framber Valdez, but rookie Evan Carter is back in the lineup for Game 3 against Javier.

The bullpens for both teams will play a crucial role in the game. The Astros have a well-rested bullpen after Game 2, with several options to cover innings if needed. The Rangers’ bullpen, which has been a weakness this season, has been relatively steady in the postseason. The trio of Josh Sborz, José Leclerc, and Aroldis Chapman have been reliable arms for Texas. The Rangers may also call on their long relief options, Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning, or Cody Bradford, to support Scherzer.

In terms of individual performances, Yordan Alvarez continues to dominate for the Astros, leading all players in the postseason with six home runs and impressive overall numbers. Kyle Tucker, however, is struggling at the plate with a batting average of .091. For the Rangers, Jonah Heim has recorded hits in all seven postseason games, while Evan Carter has reached base in each game. Robbie Grossman, on the other hand, has struggled with a batting average of .125.

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