Max Scherzer is set to start for the Texas Rangers in Game 3 of the World Series after two consecutive short outings since returning from a muscle strain in his shoulder

Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer is set to start Game 3 of the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks despite still being less than 100 percent, according to manager Bruce Bochy.

Scherzer recently missed more than a month due to a muscle injury before returning to start two games in the American League Champion Series against the Houston Astros.

In the first of those two starts, Game 3 of the ALCS, Scherzer allowed four five runs in four innings and threw only 63 pitches.

During his next start in Game 7, Scherzer left the game after throwing only 44 pitches and allowing two runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Despite the brief appearances since the 39-year-old returned to the mound, Bochy said Scherzer is doing everything he can to give the Rangers what they need Monday night when the World Series moves to Arizona.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Scherzer can throw as long as they need to

‘Yeah I think so. He could give us height. I talked to him about this,” Bochy said before Game 2.

“He’s comfortable throwing like he normally does. Maybe not as long as he’s had over 100 pitches, whatever, but pretty close.”

Scherzer is 7-8 with a 3.89 ERA over 29 postseason appearances, with three of his 24 starts coming in World Series games.

He received a no-decision for Detroit in Game 4 of the 2012 World Series as the Tigers were swept by Bochy-managed San Francisco. Scherzer struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings and left with the score tied at 3-3.

The Giants’ decisive game against Detroit was played in 44-degree temperatures and howling winds, and to Scherzer it felt colder.

‘Twenty-seven degrees in Detroit against the Giants, down 3-0. I think I came out pretty well. And then Buster Posey hit a 1-0 changeup for a homer,” Scherzer said, referring to the catcher’s two-run homer in the sixth.

Rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will start Game 3 for the Diamondbacks

“I remember when we had starters going into the seventh inning. Do you remember?’

In the 2019 World Series, Scherzer allowed two runs over five innings of Game 1 and had the same line in Game 7 for Washington in Houston. He was the winning pitcher in the opener and received a no-decision in the title game for the Nationals.

Rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will start Game 3 for the Diamondbacks. The 25-year-old made his big league debut on May 3, going 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA in 18 starts and one relief appearance.

He has a 2.70 no-decision ERA in four postseason starts, all won by the Diamondbacks. He gave up two runs over four innings in Game 7 of the NLCS in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening.