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
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
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.