Series Thread: Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros in the 2023 ALCS October 15-23

[saddles]

For the first time it will be an all-Texas American League Championship Series.

There will be a lot of interesting storylines concerning the Rangers in this series. These include:

1) Will Max Scherzer be able to join the roster and which role will he be in?

2) Will Jon Gray be able to join the roster and which role will he be in?

3) With those first two storylines in mind, how will Bochy and Maddux utilize this staff that is so heavily weighted with starting pitchers?

4) Will Evan Carter continue to play well, or have the Astros had time to learn how to pitch to him better than other teams have?

5) How many bats will be hot in this series?

6) Will the way the Astros man-handled the Rangers in that last series with them, carry over to this series?

7) will we see someone diferent in the 8th inning role?


One thing to keep in mind, if they decide to put Scherzer or Gray into the pen, it will be difficult for either of them to return to a starter's role during the rest of the postseason. If they do make either or both of them starters, they would most likely be very limited in the number of innings they can throw each game.

Games 1 and 2 will be played in Houston. Games 3, 4, and 5 will be played in Arlington. Games 6 and 7 will be played in Houston, if needed.

#TakeBackTX

 

[Kelleyman]

Thanks Bennie
Have to have at least one drop to roster. Guess it will be Bush

 

[Kelleyman]

What roles the pitchers take will be very interesting. My guess is Scherzer in game 3 Monty one and Nate 2.
How we utilize Heaney will be very interesting
Do not think Chapmen gets the 8th in a close game maybe not at all

 

[WilltheThrill]

Class versus Trash for a trip to the World Series. And if anyone needed any further proof as to which team is which, watch the video of the Rangers’ celebration vs. Justin Verlander’s parade of f-bombs in his “woe-is-us/we faced more adversity than anyone else” speech in the Astros’ celebration.

 

[Duane1952]

What roles the pitchers take will be very interesting. My guess is Scherzer in game 3 Monty one and Nate 2.
How we utilize Heaney will be very interesting
Do not think Chapmen gets the 8th in a close game maybe not at all

I would start Eovaldi and then Monty. I would still use Dunning in game 3. I don’t see Max going 3 or innings. He hasn’t pitched in awhile. We all saw what happened to Eovaldi when he didn’t get any rehab starts.

 

[scotsman1948]

I would start Eovaldi and then Monty. I would still use Dunning in game 3. I don’t see Max going 3 or innings. He hasn’t pitched in awhile. We all saw what happened to Eovaldi when he didn’t get any rehab starts.

3 or 4 good innings from Scherzer would be worth it and then 3 or 4 from Dunning

 

[Duane1952]

3 or 4 good innings from Scherzer would be worth it and then 3 or 4 from Dunning

You don’t know if you are going to get 3 or 4 innings from Scherzer. Eovaldi wasn’t good when he first came from injury without facing batters in a game.

 

[scotsman1948]

You don’t know if you are going to get 3 or 4 innings from Scherzer. Eovaldi wasn’t good when he first came from injury without facing batters in a game.

No I don’t and you don’t know that we won’t

 

[armadillooutlaw]

You don’t know if you are going to get 3 or 4 innings from Scherzer. Eovaldi wasn’t good when he first came from injury without facing batters in a game.

With Scherzer I'm comfortable taking the chance and letting him start. He's a big game pitcher and we're going to seriously need him against Houston.

 

[Kelleyman]

Still think Scherzer in game 3 due to session yesterday. Maybe the do let Nate pitch the first game. Guess that is normal rest

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Still think Scherzer in game 3 due to session yesterday. Maybe the do let Nate pitch the first game. Guess that is normal rest

Did they ever say anything about how his session went yesterday? How many pitches?

 

[saddles]

If Scherzer is able to throw 75 or more pitches then let him be in the rotation. If not let him take Chapman's spot. Although, I would rather Scherzer start and give Chapman's spot to Heaney.

 

[Kelleyman]

Did they ever say anything about how his session went yesterday? How many pitches?

Nothing yet. Wonder if there is a news conference later today

 

[Kelleyman]

If Scherzer is able to throw 75 or more pitches then let him be in the rotation. If not let him take Chapman's spot. Although, I would rather Scherzer start and give Chapman's spot to Heaney.

But I think they let Bush go back. I wonder who the other one off will be if Gray goes on the roster. It might be Stratton or Burke

 

[yardimatt]

I thought I read Max was pitching a simulated game today. I will respond here when/if I hear anything. I’d imagine they’d wait until tomorrow to see how he feels. I really hope he can contribute this series. We will need him.

Edit- evidently he pitched a simulated game on Wednesday. Maybe we hear some good news soon.

 

[DT LUNA]

I thought I read Max was pitching a simulated game today. I will respond here when/if I hear anything. I’d imagine they’d wait until tomorrow to see how he feels. I really hope he can contribute this series. We will need him.

Edit- evidently he pitched a simulated game on Wednesday. Maybe we hear some good news soon.

Thanks

 

[saddles]

But I think they let Bush go back. I wonder who the other one off will be if Gray goes on the roster. It might be Stratton or Burke

It is not that big of a deal to me if Chapman stays on the roster. I just want Heaney to be given the 8th inning role.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

It is not that big of a deal to me if Chapman stays on the roster. I just want Heaney to be given the 8th inning role.

I'd like to see Heaney, Bradford, Perez, Gray and LeClerc get the bulk of the work out of the bullpen. Stratton seems like a guy they forgot exists, and the rest kinda suck.

 

[saddles]