McCullers could dominate ... or get Bombed

Astros manager A.J. Hinch “mapped out like a hundred scenarios” for Game 4, waiting to see who might be needed in relief Monday night before naming Tuesday’s starting pitcher.

In the 8-1 Game 3 loss to the Yankees, Hinch had no need to turn to any of his potential starters, and yet with every option available, the skipper is still choosing to send the high-risk, high-reward right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. — instead of Brad Peacock — to the mound to help prevent Houston from losing its ALCS lead.

Even Hinch admitted he isn’t sure what the team will get from the inconsistent 24-year-old, who made the All-Star Game this year after opening the season 7-1 with a 2.53 ERA, but battled a back injury in the second half of the season, and hasn’t earned a win since July 6.

After the All-Star break, McCullers finished 0-2 with an 8.23 ERA in six starts, and made one appearance out of the bullpen in the ALDS against the Red Sox, allowing two runs and three hits over three innings.

“I think that’s the unknown,” Hinch said. “He’s a really good pitcher. He’s got really electrifying stuff, some of the best in the big leagues. … It starts with setting the tone with [him]. I don’t have to remind all [of] you, he was an All-Star to start the year. He has some of the best stuff in the big leagues and we believe in him.”

Clearly, more than Peacock, who went 13-2 with a 3.00 ERA this season, but was knocked around for three runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings in his start against the Red Sox, and will be available out of the bullpen.

McCullers, whose father pitched for the Yankees in 1989 and 1990, has made one career postseason start. In a 2015 loss against the Royals he threw 6 ¹/3 innings, and allowed two runs. In two starts against the Yankees this season, McCullers went 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA, though both appearances came while he was flourishing in the first half of the season.

In his May 12 appearance in The Bronx, he threw six shutout innings.

“[It’s] a different animal,” McCullers said. “I think the only thing to take away from that is I’ve already pitched in Yankee Stadium in front of a pretty big crowd. This is New York, this is the biggest and brightest lights. I’ve already been able to go into that game and come out with success.

“I don’t think anyone is kind of shying away from the magnitude of the [moment]. But at the same time I look forward to the challenge.”