The American League Division Series begins on Thursday afternoon in Game 1 between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays. The game is scheduled for a 3:37 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Blue Jays listed as a heavy favorite to pick up the win.
David Price has been lights out for the Blue Jays since being acquired by Detroit at the trading deadline. Price lost just one start in the final two months of the season and Toronto dropped just two of his starts overall, both at home in close contests where Price went at least seven innings. The lefty has 18 wins on the year and a 2.45 ERA,
The Rangers hit just .253 against lefties this season. Price threw against them back at the end of August, tossing six innings and scattering five hits while allowing just a pair of earned runs. Current Rangers own an average of .277 against Price in 177 at bats, Adrian Beltre has homered twice in his career off Price.
Texas is sending Yovani Gallardo to the mound instead of Cole Hamels, who will start Game 2 of this series. Gallardo struggled to consistently go deep in games this season, not throwing six innings in and of his final seven starts.
Gallardo was dominant against the Blue Jays this season in two starts, not allowing a run over 13 2/3 innings while scattering six hits and walking only five. The Jays hit .136 against him this season but own an average of .239 against him lifetime. Edwin Encarnacion had bombed three homers off Gallardo, Troy Tulowitzki has also homered.
The Blue Jays are considered one of the favorites to win the World Series this year and with this lineup, it's hard to argue. The first step in getting to a World Series is winning the opening game of the ALDS. With Price on the mound and the Jays looking to continue to beat the ball around at home, Toronto wins this one.
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