The American League Championship Series heads to Arlington, Texas, for a crucial Game 3 on Wednesday.
Max Scherzer, the Texas Rangers’ star pitcher who has been recovering from a shoulder injury, is set to make his return in Game 3, with a chance to put the Rangers up 3-0 against the Houston Astros and one win away from reaching the World Series, according to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy.
On the other side, Cristian Javier will be pitching for the Astros, who are facing a must-win situation against the unbeaten Rangers.
Get the latest updates from ALCS Game 3 on Wednesday night:
Astros vs. Rangers: ALCS Game 3 time, TV channel, how to watch
Don’t miss Wednesday night’s American League Championship Series game starting at 8:03 p.m. ET, on Fox Sports 1.
Cristian Javier vs. Rangers, Max Scherzer vs. Astros stats
Cristian Javier has been impressive for the Astros during the postseason, boasting a 1.91 ERA over 37 ⅔ innings. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer has a 3.58 ERA in postseason games and will be pitching for his fifth team in the playoffs.
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Javier struggled in his only start against Texas this season, allowing eight runs in 4 ⅓ innings.
Scherzer faced the Astros twice this season, with a win and a loss. He had a strong outing with the Mets, but struggled when he was with the Rangers, giving up seven runs in three innings.
Rangers get Max Scherzer return for Game 3 vs. Astros
ARLINGTON, Texas – Max Scherzer, 39, will finally make his return after recovering from a shoulder injury. The Rangers have been on a hot streak in the postseason, winning all seven of their games so far, and having Scherzer back only adds to their momentum.
Scherzer expressed his excitement about getting back on the field, saying, “We’ve got a good thing going, we’re flowing, we’re rolling. Just continue to keep it going. Now it’s my turn to get back into the fray and go out there and compete and give it the best I’ve got.”
Evan Carter batting third in ALCS Game 3
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter, just 21 years old, has been performing well under pressure in the playoffs. Manager Bruce Bochy has decided to move him up to the third spot in the batting order for Game 3, making him the second youngest player to start and bat third in the League Championship Series or the World Series.
Carter has been making an impact since the regular season, and his promotion in the lineup showcases the team’s confidence in his abilities.
Astros, Rangers starting lineups and probable pitchers
Astros
RHP Cristian Javier − 10-5, 4.55 ERA regular season; 1-0, 0 ER in 5.0 innings, 9 strikeouts in 2023 postseason
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Jose Altuve, 2B
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Michael Brantley, LF
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Alex Bregman, 3B
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Yordan Alvarez, DH
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José Abreu, 1B
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Kyle Tucker, RF
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Mauricio Dubón, CF
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Jeremy Peña, SS
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Martín Maldonado, C
Rangers
RHP Max Scherzer − 13-6, 3.77 ERA regular season; first postseason appearance of 2023
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Marcus Semien, 2B
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Corey Seager, SS
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Evan Carter, LF
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Adolis García, RF
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Jonah Heim, C
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Mitch Garver, DH
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Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
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Josh Jung, 3B
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Leody Taveras, CF
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Reference
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David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.