The Toronto Blue Jays will face off against a tough pair of starting pitchers when their ALDS begins Thursday at the Rogers Centre.
The Rangers announced Tuesday that veteran right-hander Yovani Gallardo will pitch in Game 1 while left-hander Cole Hamels will get the start for Friday afternoon’s Game 2.
Gallardo, 29, did not allow an earned run in 13.2 innings against the the Blue Jays this season. He recorded six strikeouts with five walks in two starts. He went 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 184.1 innings.
Hamels, 31, did not register a start against the Blue Jays this season. However, the former Philadelphia Phillie recorded a 7.71 ERA in one career game at the Rogers Centre. Hamels made 12 starts for Texas after being acquired before the non-waiver trade deadline, registering a 3.66 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 83.2 innings.
Toronto has yet to officially name its starters for the first two games of the series, but manager John Gibbons made it clear that David Price will start Game 1 opposite of Gallardo.