Max Scherzer, Jon Gray added to Texas Rangers ALCS roster
HOUSTON - The Texas Rangers traded for Max Scherzer at the trade deadline to have a battle-tested pitcher on the mound in the playoffs.
Scherzer will finally get his chance against the Houston Astros.
On Sunday morning, the Rangers announced that they added Scherzer onto the roster for the ALCS.
The veteran pitcher has been battling a muscle strain in his shoulder and has not pitched in a game since Sept. 12.
Texas Rangers trade for Max Scherzer
The Texas Rangers acquired three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer in a blockbuster trade with the New York Mets, an all-in move for the AL West leaders.
On Friday, Scherzer declared that he felt "good to go," but hadn't official got the okay from the team.
The three-time Cy Young award winner was aware that there could be some rust and that things could feel differently when he takes the mound in the playoffs.
"I'm not stupid here, this is a postseason start, this is going to be amped up even more. So that's where you know what you can do and be in communication with the coaches," Scherzer said Friday.
The Rangers also added SP Jon Gray to the ALCS roster.
Gray has been out since late September with a strained right forearm.
Gray went 9-8 with a 4.12 ERA in the regular season.
Left handed reliever Brock Burke and right hander Matt Bush were removed from the roster to make room for Scherzer and Gray's return.
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The Rangers have made their run to the ALCS on the backs of starting pitchers Jordan Montgomery, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney.
Scherzer will give them another proven option in a longer Best of 7 series.
Montgomery will take the mound on Sunday against the Astros, who will give the ball to their trade deadline acquisition, Justin Verlander.
Eovaldi is expected to start Game 2.
The Rangers have not announced which game Scherzer will start.
Texas Rangers-Houston Astros Schedule: Where and when to watch the ALCS
The American League Championship Series will be a Lonestar Showdown this year, with the Texas Rangers taking on the Houston Astros.
Game 1 in Houston starts at 7:15 p.m. on FOX 4.