Which version of Max Scherzer can the Texas Rangers count on going forward?

ARLINGTON, Texas — Max Scherzer, a future Hall of Famer, will be remembered for his incredible career and larger-than-life persona. But as he takes the mound now, it becomes clear that his persona has overshadowed his true self.

Scherzer had a tough outing in Game 3 of the ALCS, giving up five runs in four innings and putting his team at a deficit. Despite a solid offensive performance from the Texas Rangers, the Houston Astros always kept the game out of reach. It was a disappointing performance, but not entirely surprising.

Scherzer is still a great pitcher, but he has his limitations. At 39 years old, he has dealt with injuries in recent years. This was his first start in 36 days after being sidelined with an injury. Although he felt physically fine, the rust might have affected his performance.

Despite this setback, Scherzer has a track record of success in the postseason. He has a career 3.22 ERA in the playoffs and played a crucial role in helping the Washington Nationals win the World Series in 2019.

While Scherzer’s performance in Game 3 was disappointing, there is still hope for the Rangers. With Scherzer and other strong pitchers like Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi, they have the potential to bounce back in the series. However, it’s hard to ignore the concerns raised by Scherzer’s recent performance.

Will the mythical pitcher who can carry a whole team to victory emerge this October? Or has he become just a man again?