Scherzer’s sudden departure after three innings Monday meant potential Game 4 starter Jon Gray had to go to work. So now it’s Andrew Heaney, who lasted just two-thirds of an inning in his previous postseason start against the Astros in the American League Championship Series, who gets the nod for the Rangers. And the García injury amid an epic October for the Rangers right fielder (a single postseason record 22 RBIs, eight home runs and 1.108 OPS) is an important subplot.
The D-backs counter with Joe Mantiply as the starter in a bullpen battle. They will try to change the math that works against them. The Rangers’ 2-1 lead is an advantage that 68 of 99 (69%) of teams in the best-of-seven postseason series have converted into a series win. Teams that have a 2-1 lead on the road in a 2-3-2 format have won the series 29 out of 39 (74%) times.
Here’s what’s coming up for Game 4:
When does the game take place and how can I watch it?
Game 4 is now live from Chase Field and will air on FOX.
The Fall Classic is available in the US on MLB.TV with authentication from a participating pay-TV provider. Games are available live internationally (except Canada). Full game archives will be available approximately 90 minutes after the game ends.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Rangers: LHP Andrew Heaney
Texas is counting on a return to the semi-bullpen game it has used twice this postseason, with Heaney getting the bulk of the innings before manager Bruce Bochy hands him off to Dane Dunning in a piggyback situation. Heaney has made two starts and two relief appearances this postseason, allowing four runs in six innings. Bochy has typically let Heaney ride until he gets into trouble in his postseason starts, so that should continue in Game 4.
D-Backs: LHP Joe Mantiply
In a true bullpen game, manager Torey Lovullo will use his high-leverage left-hander to set the tone against the top of the Texas league. The key factor here is left-hander Corey Seager, who has hit two massive home runs in the first three games of this series. Seager’s career OPS is nearly 100 points higher against right-handed hitters (.905) than against left-handed hitters (.808) – and it’s been even more pronounced this season, posting a 1.075 OPS against right-handed hitters compared to .882 against left-handed hitters. Left handed. With fellow lefty hitter Evan Carter in the starting lineup — something he didn’t do against Astros left winger Framber Valdez in the ALCS — it’s possible Mantiply could face him again in the second inning if he gets a clean first hit , but he won’t go any further.
What are the starting lineups?
Ranger: With García no longer on the roster, the Rangers placed Travis Jankowski at the bottom of the lineup.
Press: Emmanuel Rivera got third ahead of Evan Longoria, who went 2-for-8 with an RBI in the first three games. Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte swapped spots at the top of the leaderboard as Heaney is a southpaw. The D-backs typically play Carroll-Marte against righties and Marte-Carroll against lefties.
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Ranger: Gray is unlikely to be available after throwing 30 pitches in three innings in relief in Game 3 following Scherzer’s injury. The highly effective trio of Josh Sborz, Aroldis Chapman and José Leclerc threw just 16 shots each and should all be available in Game 4, but the Rangers’ long-standing backup group – Dunning, Cody Bradford and Martín Pérez – should get a heavy workload behind Heaney.
Press: Between the blowout win in Game 2 on Saturday, the off-day on Sunday and the loss in Game 3 on Monday, Arizona hasn’t used any of its top high-leverage options since Friday in Game 1.
With Mantiply getting the start, the next key spots against Texas’ powerhouse lefties – Seager and Carter – will likely fall to fellow lefties Kyle Nelson and Andrew Saalfrank. Meanwhile, right-handers Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel will handle the other big spots along the long bridge to Paul Sewald. The three remaining bullpen armies – Ryne Nelson, Miguel Castro and Luis Frías – will fill in the remaining gaps. The only reliever who may not be available is Frías, who pitched 1 2/3 innings on Monday – despite only throwing 20 pitches.
Ranger: Both Scherzer (back tightness) and García (left side soreness) left Game 3 early due to injuries and will miss the remainder of the Fall Classic.
Press: Outfielder Jake McCarthy was removed from the roster shortly before Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series after suffering a right oblique strain. He is not expected to return.
Ranger: Seager continues to hit, hitting his second home run in the World Series and moving his postseason slash line to .298/.444/.649. Carter has safely reached all 15 postseason games this year after a 2-for-3 night in Game 3.
Semien’s struggles continued with a 1-for-4 night, and Taveras is hitting just .200 this postseason.
Press: Pham hit a home run in Game 1, went 4-for-4 in Game 2 and had two hits in Game 3. Walker has gone just 6-for-48 (.125) with five RBIs and 17 strikeouts in the last 14 games, although he has had six hard-hit balls in the last two games (exit velocity of 95 mph, according to Statcast) and just one strikeout. Marte has scored in all 15 games this postseason – and in all 19 playoff games of his career.