Gallardo, Hamels set to start for Rangers in ALDS Games 1-2

The Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays play game one of the ALDS Thursday.

Hamels, the Rangers’ marquee pitcher, threw a complete game Sunday in Texas’ regular-season finale, a 9-2 win over the Angels that clinched the AL West title.

For Gallardo, he believes that his National League background has helped him against the Blue Jays offense, because he faced many of their power hitters when they were with their previous teams.

Hamels, whom the Rangers acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies at the trade deadline, finished the regular season with a combined 13-8 record, 3.65 ERA, and 1.19 WHIP. He wouldn’t acknowledge that he’s at his best against the Jays, but said that instead he just tries to do his best with each appearance.

Game 2’s first pitch will be at 12:45 p.m. on Friday. But the proof is in the pudding, and the veteran righty has owned the Blue Jays this year in two starts against them.

Talk about a huge line for a playoff game, huh?

Gallardo has struggled to go deep in the game, not pitching over six innings since his start against Toronto in June.

The mystery was who would be starting Game One, as there were arguments to be made for any of the Rangers’ four other starting pitchers to start the opener or be dropped from the rotation.

Dickey will be making his playoff debut, while Lewis has an impressive postseason resumé from his time with the Rangers in both 2010 and 2011. Sure, he might be four years older now, but there isn’t any reason to think that Lewis can’t deliver similar results this time around; but if Dickey has proven anything in his career, it’s that he’s never someone to count out or take lightly.