Gallardo Set for First Meeting Against M's

Yovani Gallardo is a career National Leaguer with the Milwaukee Brewers before joining the Texas Rangers this winter via trade. So when he faces the Seattle Mariners on Friday night for the first time in his career, it won't be the first time he's facing a team for the first time this season.

When he takes the hill tonight at Safeco Field, he'll be going against a Mariners lineup with only two batters he's ever faced, and that can go one of two ways — usually the good way for the pitcher.

Gallardo was not good in his Rangers debut on Opening Day, but he was much better in his home debut against the Houston Astros, and he'll look to build on that outing Friday night against the Mariners. In his last start, he lasted 5 2/3 innings, a number he'd still like to see improved, but he struck out eight batters and allowed just two runs.

So what's the Rangers' hope tonight? That the Mariners are totally befuddled by what they see from the veteran right-hander and that he can stifle the Mariners' big bats.

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