Oakland Athletics to start Sonny Gray in game five
So the Oakland Athletics have made a decision. They will start pitcher Sonny Gray when they host the Detroit Tigers in game five of the American League divisional series on Thursday night.
The Athletics waited quite some time to make a decision and probably surprised many with their choice.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle broke the news via twitter.
The Athletics were expected to name veteran Bartolo Colon, their game one starter, as the game five starter. Colon had some struggles in game one, taking the loss. He gave up three runs on 10 hits in six innings.
However, his regular season was absolutely fantastic. The 40-year old went 18-6 with a 2.65 ERA this season.
Gray made just 10 starts for the Athletics in 2013 after starting 20 games for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. He went 5-3 with a 2.67 ERA, struck out 67 and walked 20 in 64.0 innings (12 total appearances).
Gray was masterful in the Athletics’ game 2 victory. In 8.0 innings, he gave up zero runs on four hits and two walks
It will be a complete rematch of game 2 as veteran Justin Verlander will take the hill for the Tigers.
First pitch from the O.co Coliseum is scheduled for 8:07 pm EST.