Texas Rangers pitcher Yovani Gallardo will start Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.
Cole Hamels is scheduled to start the second game of the series.
Gallardo makes sense for one reason only: he is right handed. Although the Blue Jays pummel right-handed hitting -- they lead the league with a .341 wOBA -- they are even better against lefties. There, their wOBA increased to .354. Gallardo's 4.59 SIERA is never ideal for the starter in the first game of a playoff series, but his handedness may make him better than the alternative.
Source: Rotoworld.com