In 2019, the Washington Nationals won the World Series thanks to five pitchers: Patrick Corbin, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hutson.
When the manager used another pitcher, it was dangerous.
With the 2023 Texas Rangers, we see a bit of the same phenomenon. Besides Jordan Montgomery, Nathan Eovaldi, Josh Sborz, Aroldis Chapman and Jose Leclerc, it’s not famous.
Actually, it’s no joke: in the club’s first seven wins, Joel Sherman reports that only seven pitchers were used.
Yesterday, manager Bruce Bochy was forced to rely on other pitchers. And yesterday, for the first time in the series, the Rangers lost.
Max Scherzer, who was acquired at a big price by Texas to recreate its 2019 magic, did not deliver. He was clearly not at 100% of his abilities, but he is responsible for his team’s 8-5 defeat.
In four innings, he gave up five runs, all earned.
Bruce Bochy publicly states that he does not regret having given him the ball (he will not say the opposite in front of the cameras), but we can see that the Rangers’ mound can pose a problem.
The Astros, an experienced club, therefore found the flaw. Will it be the same with Andrew Heaney on the mound tonight?
Did this boost the Astros, who wanted to have success on the road this season? After all, if the club regains its confidence…
At 8 p.m. this evening, Andrew Heaney and Jose Urquidy should cross swords in Game 4 of this Texas series. The Rangers lead 2-1.
In the National, at 5 p.m., Ranger Suarez and Brandon Pfaadt will be automatically. The Phillies lead their series 2-0 and they are on fire.
