There could be as many as four games left in the 2023 World Series, so it’s not must-win territory at this point.
Yes, the Texas Rangers, based on history, have roughly a 70-some percent chance to win it all now that they beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-1, in Game 3 of the World Series.
Make no mistake, though: The Rangers win in Phoenix on Monday was huge – not because of the one-game lead they now have and not because they rebounded from a 9-1 loss in Game 2 in Texas to quiet a crowd in Arizona that hadn’t seen a World Series contest since 2001.
But because there are now some disquieting feelings on the Rangers’ side.
Texas’ all-world outfielder Adolis García, who has an MLB-record 22 RBIs this postseason, left after flying out in the top of the eighth with what was initially called “left-side tightness.” Whether that’s all it is or whether it’s code for the dreaded oblique strain will be paramount for these Rangers to determine soon. Texas will wait for an MRI before any decisions are made.
Losing García, who also made a tremendous throw from right to halt a run at the plate Monday, would be the biggest blow to a Texas team that has yet to lose on the road in the postseason and has two more games in Arizona through Wednesday.
Another Rangers injury from Monday provides the potential for a more immediate roster shakeup and one that could have a legitimate effect on who is available to pitch Tuesday in what, in essence, will be the third consecutive World Series game in which Texas must get bulk innings from its bullpen.
Starter Max Scherzer threw three scoreless innings and only 36 pitches before he was pulled prior to the bottom of the fourth with back tightness/spasms. Fox cameras showed him grimacing before the inning and then walking through the dugout obviously dejected.
At this moment, Scherzer is slated to be the Rangers’ Game 7 starter, if necessary, but this latest injury calls into question whether that is the most prudent path for this team. Scherzer last pitched in the regular season on Sept. 12 due to a shoulder muscle strain. He returned for the ALCS, but now has lasted just 9 2/3 innings in three outings.
Scherzer has had this back situation before, and it often has cleared up before his next outing. But that means there will be a wait to determine whether he can pitch again in the World Series. One possibility is for the Rangers to take Scherzer off the World Series roster on Tuesday, because of the injury, and replace him with a reliever who is with the team but not on the roster. There are several options. Then, that pitcher would be available for Tuesday’s bullpen game.
To do that, the Texas Rangers would be removing one of the best pitchers of this generation from potentially pitching Game 7 and do it quickly to take advantage of the extra arm this week. We all know what Scherzer will want. There’s no bigger bulldog in the sport.
Scherzer’s injury complicated what was an interesting matchup heading into Monday: Scherzer in his 20th postseason appearance and fourth World Series start versus Arizona rookie Brandon Pfaadt, who was making his World Series debut and had posted a 5.72 ERA in the regular season.
On paper, it was a mismatch. In reality, Pfaadt probably deserved the advantage after what he’s done previously in this postseason: Four starts, a 2.70 ERA and a 22-3 strikeout-to-walk total.
Ultimately, the duel of new and old ended prematurely, but not because of performance.
Pfaadt lasted into the sixth, allowing three runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings; he made one mistake, a two-run homer to Corey Seager, in a three-run Texas third. Otherwise, Pfaadt held his own – again.
Scherzer’s early departure could have shifted momentum for the home team, but Jon Gray provided a tremendous albeit slightly unexpected boost for Texas.
Jon Gray steps up for Texas Rangers after Max Scherzer’s injury
A nine-year veteran who had made one relief appearance during his entire regular-season career, Gray entered as a reliever for the third time this postseason. And, for the second time in this World Series, he shut down the opposition. In Game 1, he faced six batters and struck out four. On Monday night, he allowed one hit in three innings, ultimately earning the win.
Changing roles in the postseason is a lot harder than it’s perceived. The assumption is a manager can simply throw a starter into the bullpen to provide length in the playoffs and it should be seamless.
That’s not how it always works – though it has for Gray.
He is accustomed to four-days rest between starts. He had two before taking the mound Monday. Gray had to warm up without warning because Scherzer did not appear to be in trouble until he couldn’t post for the fourth.
Gray, who has a five-pitch arsenal, basically limited himself to his fastball and slider; he wasn’t setting up hitters for the next time or two around in the lineup.
“It just seems like things get simpler and simpler out of the bullpen. I’m really only using two pitches,” Gray told Fox Sports postgame. “I used one curveball today and that was kind of an anomaly. Really, just focus on the bread and butter and making that as sharp as a I can.”
Gray said he simply tried to slow things down and not worry about the import of the game.
This is what must happen in the World Series. Players are placed into unfamiliar situations and raucous environments and are asked to come through with the entire sport watching.
Gray did. Aroldis Chapman was shaky but escaped the eighth and Jose Leclerc shut it down in the ninth to preserve the win.
The night advanced perfectly for the Rangers in another hostile environment. Now, though, they must survive two potentially impactful injuries to capture their first World Series crown in franchise history.
It was a huge win Monday night for Texas, but it may have occurred with some major losses.