Good thing for him he is on their side.

Gallardo has enjoyed unusually strong run support since returning to the majors after a two-month stint with Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers averaged 11 runs per game in his three June starts http://www.vikingscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-irv-smith-jr.-jersey , including an 11-3 thumping of the Chicago White Sox on Friday when they blasted five home runs.

Gallardo hopes he will continue to be a good luck charm when he starts the opener of a four-game series against the Tigers in Detroit on Thursday night.

“This is what they do,” Gallardo told MLB.com and other reporters afterward. “This is the kind of offense we have here. It definitely makes it easier, but yet it is one of those things where you can’t allow it to get out of hand as well. You’ve just got to keep it tight in the strike zone and get some quick outs.”

Gallardo (2-0, 9.00 ERA) didn’t require an offensive explosion from his team against the White Sox, as he delivered his best outing of the season. He tossed 7 1/3 innings on just 90 pitches, giving up three runs on four hits and striking out seven.

“He was in control the whole time,” Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos told MLB.com. “I think he built from that last outing (5 1/3 innings) in Minnesota. It was the same thing; he’s throwing really well.”

Gallardo, who was released by Cincinnati in April, is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in three career starts against the Tigers, but he has not faced them since 2015.

He’ll be opposed by left-hander Matthew Boyd (4-6, 4.18), one of several Detroit pitchers who could be dealt this season.

Boyd has gone winless in his last four starts, though his last start was a quality outing at Toronto. He gave up three runs on four hits over six innings and posted seven strikeouts, his highest total since May 17.

The Rangers have given Boyd fits in the past. He is 1-4 with a 5.53 ERA in five career starts against them. Chirinos has homered twice against Boyd in seven career at-bats.

Detroit will try to bounce back from two road losses to the streaking Chicago Cubs, who have won six straight. The Tigers lost 5-2 on Wednesday, and manager Ron Gardenhire had to depart to the clubhouse early due to heat exhaustion. He is expected to be back in the Tigers dugout on Thursday.

“It’s frustrating to be right there, to be so close,” catcher James McCann told MLB.com. “But at the end of the day, that’s not reflected in your win-loss column. It’s either a win or a loss. We came up short two games in a row.”

The Tigers have lost 13 of their last 15 games http://www.bengalsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-drew-sample-jersey , but they do have a hot hitter in Nicholas Castellanos, who has hit safely in 10 of the last 11 games. Castellanos smacked a solo homer and walked twice on Wednesday.

Texas’ Shin-Soo Choo has been swinging an even hotter bat. Choo has reached base in 44 consecutive games after getting two hits, including a homer, on Wednesday. The Rangers will have a quick turnaround after losing at home in extra innings to Houston 5-4 in that game.

Had 2 sacks in Pats debut in regular-season finale. … Has 6 tackles in Patriots’ postseason wins.

Stephon Gilmore, CB (24), 6-1, 190, 6th season, South Carolina

Signed five-year, $65 million contract to come from Buffalo and struggled with inconsistency early on. … Made key stop on fourth down on Jags’ final drive to preserve win in AFC title game.

Malcolm Butler, CB (21), 5-11, 190, 4th season, West Alabama

Still best known for interception of Russell Wilson at goal line to clinch Super Bowl win over Seattle three years ago. … Signed one-year tender worth $3.9 million. Set to be unrestricted free agent in 2018.

Patrick Chung, S (23), 5-11, 215, 9th season http://www.oaklandraidersteamonline.com/trayvon-mullen-jersey , Oregon

Second-round pick in 2009 who had many ups and downs. … Went to Eagles in 2013 and struggled, returned to New England and has been solid … Hard-hitting tackler with better ball skills and recognition than in first term with Patriots.

Devin McCourty, S (32), 5-10, 195, 8th season, Rutgers

First-round pick in 2010. … Defensive captain. … Leader of secondary. … Former cornerback who found home at safety. … Twin Jason plays for Cleveland.

Duron Harmon, S (30), 6-1, 205, 5th season, Rutgers

Signed four-year deal to return. … Led team with 4 interceptions, one of those was Ben Roethlisberger’s ill-fated fake spike in December at Pittsburgh.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

Stephen Gostkowski, K (3), 6-1, 215, 12th season, Memphis

Team’s all-time scoring leader after replacing Adam Vinatieri … Made 37 of 40 field goals and 45 of 47 PATs this season for 156 points, second in the league to Greg Zuerlein.

Ryan Allen http://www.oaklandraidersteamonline.com/isaiah-johnson-jersey , P (6), 6-2, 220, 5th season, Louisiana Tech

Averaged 43.4 yards on punts in fifth season in Foxborough. Had only 2 punts blocked in career. Previous time was 2015 regular season against Eagles.

Dion Lewis, RB (33), 5-8, 195, 6th season, Pittsburgh

In addition to leading Pats in rushing, Lewis retuned 23 kicks for 570 yards, including 103-yarder against Denver.

Danny Amendola, PR (80), 5-11, 190, 8th season, Texas Tech

Was third on team with 61 receptions. … Caught two TD passes in fourth quarter to clinch rally against Jags in AFC title game. … Had 20-yard punt return to spark winning drive.

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