Oct 7, 2015
Price vs Gallardo - Who has the advantage?
With Game 1 of the ALDS between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers closing in quickly, let's take a look at both lineups and their success (or lack thereof) against starting pitchers David Price and Yovani Gallardo.
David Price vs. Yovani Gallardo.
These two elite pitchers will kick off the American League Divisional Series Thursday afternoon from Rogers Centre. But, who has the edge?
Despite a Cy Young-type season from Price, it was Gallardo who had the advantage over the Jays this season. The 29-year-old Mexican, who is in his first season with the Rangers after spending the first eight years of his career with Milwaukee Brewers, went 2-0 against Toronto this year in two starts. On June 27, he allowed no runs and just three hits with four strikeouts in 8.1 innings, blanking the Jays 4-0. Then on August 27, Gallardo went 5.1 innings, allowing no runs on three hits with two strikeouts in a 4-1 victory.
Price, on the other hand, also pitched the Jays to victory in his one and only start against the Rangers this season. The 30-year-old allowed two runs and five hits with eight strikeouts over six innings in a 12-4 win on August 26.
Let's take a look Price's and Gallardo's career success (or lack thereof) against the lineup they face Thursday.
Gallardo vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Postseason Career: 1-2 in 26 innings, 2.08 ERA, 1.346 WHIP, 20 strikeouts, 13 walks, two home runs
Blue Jays Lineup (Projected) vs Gallardo over career
| Players | AB | H | HR | RBI | SO | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Revere | 17 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .892 |
| Josh Donaldson | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .733 |
| Jose Bautista | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .350 |
| Edwin Encarnacion | 16 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1.296 |
| Troy Tulowitzki | 27 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1.095 |
| Russell Martin | 23 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .661 |
| Justin Smoak | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Kevin Pillar | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .400 |
| Ryan Goins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Notes: Bench players Dalton Pompey and Ezequiel Carrera have never faced Gallardo in their careers. Chris Colabello is 0-3 while Dioner Navarro is 1-5.
Price vs. Texas Rangers
Postseason Career: 1-5 in 40 innings (1-0 in five relief appearances, 0-5 in five starts), 4.50 ERA, 1.225 WHIP, 36 strikeouts, nine walks, seven home runs
Rangers Lineup (Projected) vs Price over career
| Players | AB | H | HR | RBI | SO | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delino DeShields | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shin-Soo Choo | 19 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 7 | .702 |
| Prince Fielder | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .333 |
| Adrian Beltre | 33 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 9 | .909 |
| Mike Napoli | 34 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 19 | .639 |
| Josh Hamilton | 20 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .700 |
| Elvis Andrus | 25 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 3 | .945 |
| Robinson Chirinos | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 |
| Rougned Odor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Notes: Backup outfielder Drew Stubbs is 3-6 against Price over his career. Lefty Mitch Moreland, who is 1-3 against Price, will likely start Game 1 from the bench in favour of Napoli who is a better matchup against the left-handed throwing ace.