With a couple of postseason games on the docket, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around baseball today:
1. NLCS Game 3:
After a rough couple of games at Citizens Bank Park, the Diamondbacks are headed home to Chase Field. The change of scenery could be just what they need to regain their momentum and slow down the red-hot Phillies. Across the regular season and the playoffs, Philadelphia has gone 55-32 (.632) at home this season. However, they’ve been far more vulnerable on the road, with a 42-41 (.506) record.
The rookie Brandon Pfaadt will start for Arizona, while Ranger Suárez takes the hill for Philadelphia. Pfaadt has looked capable in his first two postseason outings, pitching to a 3.86 ERA in seven innings of work. Suárez, however, is starting to look like a playoff legend in the making, with a career 1.16 ERA in 23 1/3 innings over the past two postseasons.
While D-backs manager Torey Lovullo has kept Pfaadt on a short leash thus far, he might have to ride his no. 3 starter a little harder this time around. The team is planning a bullpen game for Game 4, so Lovullo would surely like to give his relievers a little rest today. At the same time, he will need to be aggressive to avoid putting his team in a 3-0 hole. It will be a difficult balancing act for the longtime Diamondbacks skipper.
First pitch is set for 4:07 pm CT.
2. ALCS Game 4:
Following a momentum-shifting 8-5 victory in Game 3, the Astros will look to even up the series with the Rangers tonight at Globe Life Field. Meanwhile, the Rangers will look to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the postseason.
Andrew Heaney will take the mound for Texas against José Urquidy of Houston in a battle between two starters who have moved back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen this season. Neither looked as sharp in 2023 as he did the year before, but both pitched well in their first postseason outings. Heaney held the Orioles to one run in 3 2/3 innings in Game 1 of the ALDS, while Urquidy gave the Astros 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball in a series-clinching Game 4 victory over the Twins.
The game begins at 7:03 pm CT.
3. Scherzer struggles in his return:
Max Scherzer wasn’t exactly sharp in his return to the mound on Wednesday, giving up five runs in four innings against the Astros. The veteran starter had not pitched in over a month, and he made a remarkably speedy return from a teres major strain, so one can hardly blame him for looking a little rusty. Still, the Rangers need more from the eight-time All-Star if they’re going to hand him the ball in a potential ALCS Game 7.
On a positive note, manager Bruce Bochy had enough confidence in Scherzer to let him finish four innings despite his struggles. After the game, Scherzer told reporters (including Julia Kreuz of MLB.com) that his arm felt “really good” and that it “responded well.” However, the Rangers will surely keep close tabs on the future Hall of Famer in the coming days, before Bochy makes any decisions about his potential Game 7 starter.
No way I give Scherzer the ball in a potential game seven.
Agree.
Scherzer didn’t have any command. I know he has always been overrated, but I hoped he could do something like 4 innings 2 runs or 5 innings 3 runs and keep Texas in the game better than Martin Perez or any junk pitcher Texas had. I guess even that is too much to ask for from the historically overrated 43.3 MM AAV guy.
I dont think Scherzer is overrated. The guy is a slam dunk hall of famer. He’s just old and not durable anymore. Very few pitchers age like Justin verlander. I always felt like the rangers needed to win their monty/eovaldi games. The rest of the rangers rotation is iffy. As a die hard stros fan im hoping last night was a turning point. But even in defeat the Rangers showed no quit. They are formidable and will probably win this series.
Historically overrated is a very odd take.
> Historically overrated is a very odd take.
I would argue that you are arguably, in fact, not demonstrably inaccurate with this assessment. I motion that we make this point history so that it becomes factual and historically rated as accurate.
Astros 2017*/2022 champs.
Overrated?
Geez, Are you new to baseball and career evaluations??
Scherzer is arguably the most successful pitcher of this era after Clayton Kershaw
Do you think cumulative stats like wins and innings are primary factors in evaluating pitchers?
Yes.
Do you hand him the ball in Game 7 if it gets there?
I wouldn’t unless he regains his command. Why not try Dunning/Heaney/Gray? Or, Scherzer can be an opener.
I totally agree. I thought Dunning/Heaney was a better option. Or I would have given Gray the ball and see what he had. I just hope Max didn’t let the stro’s back in it. I’m rooting for Texas despite Max
Scherzer’s lack of velocity is what scares me off him as an opener or a reliever. Things can get bad really quick. If I’m Bochy I tiptoe around using him the rest of the playoffs.
“I know he has always been overrated, but…”
Something a baseball moron would say, especially about Max Scherzer.
ESPN is woke garbage. The wnba and USA women’s soccer belong in bed with these tools.
They’re all greedy. No reason to single out the man. Someone was willing to pay the outrageous price tag, so blame them.
Ranger Suarez for President
Next Postseason’s “Cutting Edge Story” from John Heyman or some joker is a team that focused on NOT having bullpen games in the Postseason and how it was a wild success
1. Oh, the eternal battle of home-field advantage in baseball. I can already see the Phillies sweating under the Arizona sun while trying to maintain their road-game composure. Rookie Pfaadt against the playoff legend Suárez? Well, let’s just say we’re in for a tantalizing showdown of… dare I say it… epic proportions. Who knew that “short leash” would become the hottest accessory for a manager this postseason?
2. A battle between two pitchers who’ve gracefully danced between starting and relieving? It’s like a tango of uncertainty out there on the mound. Will they twirl their way to brilliance, or will they trip over their own uncertainty? The fate of the ALCS hangs in the balance, and it’s up to Heaney and Urquidy to decide whether they’re the leading stars or the comic relief in this baseball opera.
3. Ah, Scherzer’s grand return. Five runs in four innings? It’s almost like he wanted to remind us mere mortals that even Max Scherzer can have an off day. But fear not, for he proclaims his arm feels “really good.” So, in the immortal words of every optimistic baseball fan, “There’s always next game, right?” And as for the Rangers, they’ll be keeping tabs on their precious Scherzer, like a prized vintage wine, until they decide if he’s worthy of the Game 7 spotlight. #ScherzerWatch2023
Old York is the type of person who likes to hear themselves talk, despite lack of knowledge.
@Slow day at work
And yet, you took the time out of your day to respond to the type of person who likes to hear themselves talk, despite lack of knowledge.
Phillies just need to win 1 of the 3 games and they’ll be in great shape. If not tonight, the D-backs are pitching a bullpen game tomorrow and then Wheeler should be good to go for Game 5. Should be able to find at least 1 win in there.
They’re not in such great shape after blowing it in games 6 and 7 at the Bank, are they?
MLB might want to take notice that the Wnba finals are the lead story on ESPN this morning, while AlCS Game 3 is buried halfway down the page.
You know, the whole idea of this nonsense playoff format being to bring more attention to the sport. Doesn’t seem to be working.
ESPN has their heads up their ass. They’re a Mickey Mouse company so they’re trying to be cute having WNBA leading the page but really they’re completely out of touch. No one gives a crap about Tanesha Long Legs.
Thats not an MLB issue, its an ESPN issue. ESPN significantly scaled back its MLB coverage to basically Sunday night, and since MLB offers too much ethnic diversity and very little in the way of woke controversies the network has mostly stopped caring about MLB
Some said woke, everybody drink!
It’s all about money.
MLB post season baseball is not on ESPN so they do the bare minimum to promote it.
ESPN owns the WNBA broadcast rights including the post season.
ESPN cares (and many feel its the correct move) more about promoting their own product than what may be more important or popular nationally.
Agreed. Why promote a sport which will drive audiences to subscribe to and view other competing networks/streaming services? ESPN wants to maintain their global foothold so they’re focusing a ton on soccer as well.
Agree, but you forgot that no one watches ESPN.
I only have it through my folks’ cable package in another state. They dont care about sports. Otherwise, I wouldn’t miss it.
That’s because they own the rights to the WNBA and are trying desperately to promote it.
You are judging the health of the sport on how its covered on ESPN? ESPN is failing. Revenue is tanking. They have had to fire hundreds in the past year including many on-air personalities. Viewership is in the toilet despite Disney requiring every provider to carry the station.
MLB on the other hand has seen attendance increases and record number of people watching the games live worldwide.
In direct comparisons, for example a weeknight game vs a weeknight game, the MLB playoffs are seeing generally higher ratings than in the past.
In keeping with the tradition of the game, MLB doesn’t have playoff games just in prime time like other sports.
cnbc.com/2023/10/18/disney-gives-investors-a-look-…
I liked the days ESPN was geared towards men. Now they walk on eggshells with this BLM pro trans, all inclusive agenda. I don’t want politics I want god damn sports coverage
Welp I called it, 4 ER, 3IP. He actually gave up 5. I knew that s.tupid ego of his would cost the team a win.
Scherzer failed 2021 when he was with the dodgers in the post season against Atlanta; failed 2022 with the Mets in the post season and failed 2023 with the rangers so far in the post season.
I was actually surprised had the rangers traded for him. Scherzer is an average pitcher now at best and the rangers gave up Ron Acuna younger brother for him: all reports including from Ron Acuna himself about his brother is that he is going be a star. This will be one of the trades that is looked back at wtf were they thinking
It’s like buying a used BMW with Scherzer. You absolutely know you’re buying problems but the allure of it is so tempting you give up your savings to buy it.
Mad Max did the Rangers a huge disservice in trying to rush back and be the hero. He knew he’d not be sharp. Put his ego above the needs of the team.
As I’ve been saying he’s not the same pitcher and needs to learn how to pitch with diminished stuff. His slider was getting crushed. Not enough velocity on the fastball for it to be effective. And he’s too stubborn to go anywhere else. I’m just waiting for the excuses to come. I’ve said it before I’d rather go Dunning and Heaney. Max is cooked unless he learns to pitch.
No sticky stuff equals less movement on slider?
The sticky stuff I’m sure has played a role as it has with many pitchers. It’s more the 2-3mph that he’s lost. That’s the difference between Max then and now.
Scherzer is done. If Texas wins the World Series i could see him retiring on the high, if not they may have a very expensive 5th starter next season
He has 43MM reasons not to retire next season while his performance results will not effect one iota of his HOF chances.
The Mets are paying a good amount of it. I doubt a greedy guy who demanded 43.3 Million AAV to set the record would leave that money on the table. Besides, even for such an overhyped pitcher, he may still be an improvement over what the free agent market would provide Texas. They gave up Acuna only after he exercised his player option to ensure they got something out of the trade.
Diamondbacks robbed the BANK
Shohei might like playing for the Diamondbacks: good manager, young team, good pitching staff, winners.