Oakland Athletics have not decided on a game five starter

After defeating the Oakland Athletics 8-6 in game four of the American League Division Series to force a game five in Oakland on Tuesday afternoon, the Detroit Tigers named Justin Verlander their starter for Thursday night’s series finale.

Clearly, that was an easy choice.

Verlander was somewhat human this year (for him), going 13-12 with a 3.46 ERA. Verlander was brilliant in game two, going 7.0 innings, giving up four hits, one walk and zero earned runs in a 1-0 loss.

The Athletics, on the other hand, have not named a starter.

Pitcher Bartolo Colon seems like an obvious choice despite giving up three runs on 10 hits in six innings and taking the loss in game one.

On the season, Colon was 18-6 with a 2.65 ERA.

However, after Sonny Gray gave up zero runs on four hits and two walks in 8.0 innings in game two, the Athletics may be thinking about pitching Gray.

Matthew Pouliot of Hardball Talk explains that Gray is “not overpowering and the Tigers could well have better success dealing with his curve while seeing him for the second time in five days.”

Plus, the Athletics could use Gray in relief.

First pitch between Athletics and Tigers on Thursday is scheduled for 8:07 pm EST.