As the 2023 postseason continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. ALCS Game 3:
Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer is set to take the mound tonight for the first time since September 12, when he posted 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on 72 pitches. The Rangers will hope for a similar outcome tonight as the ALCS heads to Globe Life Field for Game 3 today, as manager Bruce Bochy has indicated that Scherzer’s “baseline” for tonight could be around 70 pitches as he makes his first competitive appearance in more than a month, taking the mound against Astros righty Cristian Javier. Scherzer sports a 3.77 ERA and 4.32 FIP in 27 starts this season, though those numbers (3.20 ERA and 3.41 FIP) are far more impressive in eight starts since joining the Rangers.
Javier, meanwhile, posted mediocre numbers during the regular season with a 4.56 ERA and matching 4.58 FIP. That being said, Javier is an accomplished postseason pitcher with a career 1.91 ERA in 37 2/3 innings of work, including 16 1/3 scoreless innings across three career postseason starts. The clubs have also indicated that changes to their starting lineups may be in the cards tonight, with Astros manager Dusty Baker suggesting a move down the lineup could be in play for outfielder Kyle Tucker, who’s marred in an 2-for-22 slump this offseason. Meanwhile, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News relays that, per Bochy, rookie outfielder Evan Carter could move up to the third spot in the lineup for this evening’s game. The rookie has torn the cover off the ball this postseason, with a .350/.536/.700 slash line in 28 trips to the plate.
2. NLCS Travel Day:
The Diamondbacks are heading back to Arizona licking their wounds today, as after sweeping the Brewers and Dodgers out of the playoffs en route to the ALCS the club was unable to recreate that magic against in Philadelphia. After losing 5-3 in Game 1 with ace right-hander Zac Gallen on the mound, the club turned to veteran Merrill Kelly and got an even more worrisome outcome, as the Phillies dominated in a 10-0 romp that sent them to Arizona with a 2-0 lead in seven-game set. Pending free agent Aaron Nola dominated the Diamondbacks over six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, while Kyle Schwarber slugged two of the club’s three home runs on the evening. Philadelphia has yet to announce the club’s Game 3 starter for tomorrow, while the Diamondbacks will go with youngster Brandon Pfaadt as they try to avoid falling into an 0-3 hole in the NLCS.
3. Braves Live Chat:
The Braves installment of the 2023-24 edition of MLBTR’s Offseason Outlook series was published yesterday, as the club looks for answers following a second consecutive 100+ win campaign cut short in four games at the hands of the Phillies during the NLDS. If you have any questions about the coming offseason in Atlanta, you can tune in at 1:15pm CT for a live chat with MLBTR’s Anthony Franco. This link will allow you to submit a question in advance, participate live, or read the transcript afterward.