HOUSTON — The stage is set.
Rangers. Astros. Game 7.
Win or go home.
And the Rangers will be sending a seasoned veteran to the mound in Max Scherzer. Texas manager Bruce Bochy on Sunday night confirmed that Scherzer, a 39-year-old right-hander, will get the start in Game 7 against the Astros.
Scherzer, who Texas acquired at the trade deadline in July, will start opposite the Astros' Cristian Javier.
The decisive matchup is set for 7:03 p.m. on FOX.
The two pitchers squared off in Game 3, and Javier was by far the sharper pitcher, limiting Texas to two runs in 5.2 innings of work.
Scherzer struggled in his first start since being sidelined with an injury for more than six weeks. He threw four innings, giving up five runs on five hits.
But if Texas could take away any positives from Scherzer's start, it was that his fastball sat in the mid-90s, and he appeared to be at full strength, despite some early trouble.
And one nugget to know heading into Monday night: Scherzer has been here before. He started Game 7 of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park, and his team, the Washington Nationals, won.
Scherzer didn't get credit in the win column, but he still delivered five innings of two-run ball, before the Nationals made a comeback to win the World Series.
On Monday night, he'll likely be on a short leash. Texas has a near-fully-rested bullpen; only Josh Sborz, Jose Leclerc and Andrew Heaney threw Sunday night, and none had to labor long, especially after Adolis Garcia's huge grand slam to extend the Rangers' lead in the ninth inning.
What are the starting lineups for Rangers-Astros?
The Rangers released their starting lineup at 2:30 p.m., and it was similar to how they stacked up against Javier in Game 3.
Rookie leftfielder Evan Carter was penciled into the No. 3 hole, while Bochy put Texas' other star rookie, Josh Jung, deeper in the lineup in the No. 8 hole.
Here's the Rangers' Game 7 lineup:
Here is the Astros starting lineup for Game 7:
Is the roof at Minute Maid Park open or closed?
The retractable roof at Minute Maid Park will be closed for the 7:03 p.m. start, according to the Astros.
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