TORONTO - Texas was feeling great when it acquired hometown hero Yovani Gallardo last January.
He was supposed to slot in as an excellent No. 3 or No. 4 starter behind Yu Darvish and Derek Holland.
Three months later, Darvish was done for the year, Holland for four months and Gallardo was suddenly sharing ace duties with Colby Lewis.
Now, with true ace Cole Hamels, who was acquired later, slated for Game 2, Gallardo will be asked again to step to the fore against the Blue Jays.
Gallardo, 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA this season, beat the Jays twice this season — the only wins in six tries against Toronto for the Rangers this year.