Price, Stroman to open for Blue Jays against Rangers

Yovani Gallardo starting Game 1 of the Texas Rangers’ ALDS series against the Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon might seem like an odd call on the surface, but a slightly deeper look makes it make all the sense in the world.

The Rangers announced Yovani Gallardo will start Game 1 and Cole Hamels Game 2 against the Jays at the Rogers Centre.

So, how do these potential matchups stack up?

As for Gallardo, this season he’s pitched to a 3.42 ERA/4.00 FIP (124 ERA+) in 184 1/3 innings. Hamels and his 3.65 ERA will likely take the mound in Game 2.

The thought is that if Gallardo doesn’t have one of his dominant starts, the Rangers will have a fresh bullpen with four days of rest to go to. Price delivered a strong start for the Tampa Bay Rays when they beat Texas in the 2013 AL Wild Card Game in Arlington, so seeing him rise to the occasion wouldn’t be a surprise.

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. Price is by no means unhittable, and Ranger shortstop Elvis Andrus has a career average of. To have this opportunity to start game one, it’s a big accomplishment. The Rangers clinched the AL West title on the last day of the regular season with the 9-2 win.

The Rangers have won their past 10 games started by Hamels, who is 7-1 in 12 starts since being acquired from Philadelphia in late July. 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.

Hamels has made four career starts against the Jays, all with the Phils, and is 0-2 with a 6.97 ERA in those outings.