The Texas Rangers had a chance to all but end this series with a win at home against the Houston Astros. Yet, as Houston always seems to do, they planted a seed of doubt in the heads of their AL West rivals thanks to a Game 3 victory over the Rangers.
Max Scherzer lasted four innings, but did not pitch his best. Some of that blood is on Bruce Bochy's hands. Yordan Alvarez delivered on multiple occasions. Despite being robbed of a home run in the middle innings, he came through when Houston needed him most, padding their lead and giving the Astros bullpen some breathing room with a two-run single off Will Smith.
There are oh so many storylines here for Houston, as they lived up to the moment. Texas hasn't been here in quite some time, and will have to rely on the expertise of Bochy and their pitching staff. The red-hot Rangers finally had an off night. Here's who to blame.
Texas Rangers should blame Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer did not have it tonight, nor should he have been placed in that situation to begin with. Scherzer was ineffective from the jump, giving up five runs in his first start off a rather serious injury. Scherzer was excited for the opportunity, and had plenty of time to rest up. Frankly, he just didn't have it.
"Just trying to get back in the flow of things and just get in my routines, and I get to pitch,"Scherzer told reporters Tuesday about coming back. "You know, thrilled about that. What an opportunity to go out there and get to pitch in the ALCS. This is what you dream of."
As I wrote earlier on Wednesday night, the Astros turned Scherzer's dream into a nightmare. Scherzer's last outing was Sept. 12 when he strained his teres muscle in his right shoulder.
Scherzer could very well be a future Hall of Famer, but by no means should he have had such an opportunity.
Texas Rangers need to blame Bruce Bochy
Bruce Bochy is one of the best managers in baseball. He and Dusty Baker are the two oldest managers in the sport. By no means am I suggesting that experience is invaluable. However, there's a good chance Bochy listened a little too much to his veteran ace leading into Wednesday's start.
Bochy wanted Scherzer to pitch four innings. He did just that, but also gave up five earned runs and essentially ended Game 3 in the first few innings. Texas tried to mount some sort of comeback offensively, but the bullpen was place in a precarious position and failed to hold the Astros at five runs. They were playing from behind all night long.
Bochy watched Scherzer pitch prior to the series and was pleased enough with his progress to let him throw in the ALCS.
"Max is doing well here. He had a nice outing [Wednesday], threw 60 pitches, in that area," Bochy said. "We have some time here before we set the roster, but I have to be really encouraged with how he threw the ball, how he feels."
Clearly, that was a mistake. If the Astros come back and win the series, Game 3 will be something to look at.
Marcus Semien needs to get his act together for the Rangers
Marcus Semien is hitting under the Mendoza line in this series, and he needs to be a better table setter if the Rangers are going to overcome the big bad that is the Houston Astros. Semien hits leadoff for Texas, and drew only a walk. Yet, the players behind him, such as Evan Carter and Josh Jung, all had extra-base hits. It leads one to wonder -- what would have happened if Semien was able to get on base?
Semien is one of the best infielders in baseball. He had a tremendous regular season. Yet, if the Rangers are going to win their first World Series ever, they will need the usual output from their stars, which includes Semien and Corey Seager. If Evan Carter can play like an AL MVP seemingly out of nowhere, then Texas is fair to assume Semien and Seager will play at the same level.
The Rangers have the pitching to win this series, despite a disappointing Game 3 defeat. But if they're going to take such a leap, Semien and Seager must show up.