Max Scherzer is declaring himself 'ready to go' for the ALCS showdown between the Rangers and Astros, set to begin on Sunday at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
“I recovered,” Scherzer told reporters Friday, including Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. “I checked all the boxes I possibly can. I’m ready to go. I respect what Houston can do. They’re obviously a great team. I’ve got to bring my A-game.”
Scherzer, who has been out since September with a strained teres major muscle behind his right shoulder, threw 60-plus pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the Rangers swept the Orioles in the ALDS.
Scherzer reported feeling good after the simulated game and threw a bullpen session and took fielding practice Friday. Assuming he feels no ill effects on Saturday, the right-hander will be on the club's 26-man ALCS roster and start at least once in the series.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has yet to announce how he'll line up the pitching rotation in the series, but Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi will likely start Games 1 and 2 in Houston, followed by Scherzer in Game 3, and a piggyback combination of two of Dane Dunning, Andrew Heaney and Martin Perez in Game 4.
Jon Gray is also eligible to come off the injured list, but he has yet to throw since being shelved on Sept. 28 due to forearm tightness.
Bochy didn't speak Friday but pitching coach Mike Maddux confirmed that Scherzer was progressing.
“We’re very encouraged,” Maddux said. “He threw I think 68 [pitches] against hitters, and maintained his stuff. He didn't skip a beat from one to 68. That was the encouraging part. He needs to sharpen up a little bit. But overall [it was] very encouraging, and the fact that he bounced back and played a good game of catch yesterday. We're looking all thumbs up for today.”
ALCS rosters must be turned in by 10 a.m. CT on Sunday.