One reason each MLB team can win the World Series in 2017

Oakland Athletics: Sonny Gray returns to form

Through his first three years in the big leagues, it was smooth sailing for Sonny Gray. He went 33-20 with a 2.88 ERA in almost 500 innings. He made two strong starts in the postseason after his rookie year, and finished third in Cy Young voting in 2015. Gray was the one thing the A’s could hang their hats on as their next cycle of roster rebuilding began.

Instead, Gray came off the rails in his fourth season. Hampered by nagging injuries, he slumped to a 5-11 record with a 5.69 ERA in 22 starts. At no point did he really look like himself, pitching his worst in July and eventually being shut down early.

This is an important year for Gray and the A’s. With a strong group of contenders above them, it will be very difficult for Oakland not to suffer another long season with more than 90 losses. There is not much talent on the offensive side outside of Khris Davis, and the rotation lacks depth behind Gray. He really is their only hope of a winning season and a return to the playoffs. Never count out Billy Beane and his ability to string together a roster, but this latest iteration of Moneyball looks like it needs a few more years to come together.