Injured Texas Rangers Max Scherzer (39) is expected to return in the American League Championship Series, but was excluded from the starting pitcher for the first and second games. 

MLB.com, the official Major League Baseball media, reported on the 15th (Korean time), “Schuerzer returned ahead of the American League Championship Series, but manager Bruce Bochy announced Jordan Montgomery as the starting pitcher for Game 1. “The starting pitcher for Game 2 is Nathan Evoldi.” 

Scherzer is a veteran ace who has recorded 214 wins, 108 losses, and an average ERA of 3.15 in 457 major league games (2,834 ⅔ innings). He signed a three-year, $130 million (approximately 176.2 billion won) contract with the Mets last season, but was traded to Texas as the Mets performed poorly this season. His season record was 27 games (152⅔ innings), 13 wins, 6 losses, and an ERA of 3.77. In the postseason, he achieved good results with a total of 27 games (133⅓ innings), 7 wins, 7 losses, and an ERA of 3.58. 

Scherzer, one of the most reliable pitchers in big games, suffered an injury on the 13th of last month and ended his season early. He also failed to take the mound in the American League Wild Card Series and Division Series. 

Scherzer announced that he could return ahead of the American League Championship Series against Houston. He pitched 40 pitches live on the 7th and threw 60 more pitches on the 12th. However, he was not named as a starting pitcher for games 1 and 2.

MLB.com said, “Montgomery’s appearance as the starting pitcher in Game 1 does not rule out the possibility of Scherzer’s return. Coach Bocci explained, “Except for Lee Boldy to be the starting pitcher for Game 2, he hasn’t confirmed anything.” 

Coach Bocci said, “Schuerzer is doing well. He is doing well. He has completed his training schedule today and will come with us. We will talk about the roster with general manager Chris Young and club staff. “But he played really well,” he said, adding that he expected Scherzer to make the American League Championship Series roster. 토토사이트

In Texas, along with Scherzer, John Gray also returns from injury. MLB.com said, “Coach Boc was optimistic that Scherzer could return as a starting pitcher. However, if Gray returns, there is a possibility that he will be used as a bullpen.” 

Texas recorded 90 wins and 72 losses this season and entered the postseason in second place in the American League wild card. In the wild card series, they defeated wild card leader Tampa Bay (99 wins, 63 losses) with two wins, and in the division series, they defeated Baltimore (101 wins, 61 losses), first place in the American League, with three wins. In the American League Championship Series, they will meet Houston (90 wins, 72 losses), who also won the Western Division. 

Texas succeeded in advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time in 12 years since finishing second in the 2011 World Series. If they win the World Series this year, it will be their first win in 62 years since their founding in 1961.