ARLINGTON, Texas — Rangers left-hander Jordan Montgomery is set to start Game 2 of the World Series after getting the win in relief in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against Houston.
Montgomery’s Fall Classic debut is set for the regular four days’ rest against Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly on Saturday night. Montgomery threw 32 pitches in 2⅓ scoreless innings in the Rangers’ 11-4 victory at Houston on Monday.
“He’s had enough rest,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “So he’s good to go.”
Montgomery, 30, is 3-0 with a 2.16 ERA in the postseason. He made four starts, including Games 1 and 5 against the Astros before the relief outing in the clincher.
“I knew after Game 5 when I lined up for my bullpen that I knew I was going to be available for some innings,” Montgomery said. “Really tried to just stay as mentally prepared as I could and go through a couple of different scenarios in my head and just be ready when the phone call came.”
Montgomery had two postseason appearances before this season. The first was a no-decision as a starter with the New York Yankees in a 5-1 AL Division Series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays during the pandemic-altered, neutral-site 2020 playoffs. The second was a relief outing in the NL Wild Card Series with the St. Louis Cardinals last season.
The Rangers acquired Montgomery in a deal at the trade deadline. Eligible for free agency after this season, Montgomery was a Game 1 starter twice this postseason after going 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts for the Rangers.
“I think I’m kind of just staying in better counts,” Montgomery said. “Kind of staying in the attack on hitters and staying in control of the game as much as I can. Throwing my fastball both sides of the plate. My curveball, I feel like my shapes have all gotten better, and just repeating my delivery much better.”
