Sonny Gray Should Be Oakland A's Starter in Game 5 of ALDS vs. Detroit Tigers

With a do-or-die situation heading into Game 5 of the ALDS, the Oakland Athletics would be wise to choose rookie starter Sonny Gray to take the mound against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers.

Jane Lee of MLB.com floated the idea and is reporting that manager Bob Melvin has yet to make a decision on the matter, which points to there being a good shot for Gray to get the nod:

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There's a case to be made for rookie Sonny Gray getting the nod over veteran Bartolo Colon for Thursday's decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Tigers, and it's one the decision-makers are strongly considering.

But following his team's 8-6 loss in Detroit on Tuesday, A's manager Bob Melvin wouldn't tip his hand, only saying, "I haven't decided yet."

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Gray, who pitched an absolute gem in Game 2 of the ALDS with eight innings of four-hit, no-run ball to get a no-decision in the 1-0 A's victory, would be making the biggest start of his young career in just his second postseason outing.

That's right, the A's skipper would be going with the inexperience over a more experienced option in the team's ace, Bartolo Colon.

The 40-year-old would normally be the no-brainer option in an elimination game as he was the A's best pitcher in 2013. Colon led all of Oakland's starters in wins (18) and ERA (2.65), and those numbers have certainly warranted at least a conversation about Colon as a Cy Young candidate.

However, Colon has been average after one start in the postseason. Like two of his fellow starters on the team, Colon has an ERA over four in October and allowed three runs on 10 hits over six innings in a Game 1 loss.

Gray is the only A's starter to look dominant in their respective performances, and that has Melvin wisely considering going with the hot hand.

Another thing giving Gray an edge in this game is the fact that there is little information on the rookie. Sure, the Tigers now have a better idea on what to expect from Gray after Game 2, but there still is far less of a history for the rookie than there is for the 40-year-old veteran.

Including his postseason start, Colon has seen the Tigers three times this season and has failed to notch a win with his two regular-season starts going 12 total innings with four earned runs allowed. Gray has only seen Detroit once and has only been starting games since August of this year.

Gray has also proven to be a much better pitcher at home than he is on the road. At Oakland Coliseum, Gray is 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA in six starts while he's just 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in six appearances (four starts) on the road.

So, not only is Gray where he wants to be for Game 5 of the ALDS as far as geography is concerned, but he is also set up to pitch Game 3 of the ALCS at home on full rest. Colon would be ready to go for Game 1 of the same series on the road at Fenway Park.

Having Colon for Game 1 of the ALCS not only gives Oakland a starter who has been there before in a tough situation like a road playoff game at Fenway Park, but Colon has also been impressive against the Red Sox this season.

In two starts, Colon is 1-0 versus Boston with a 1.35 ERA and two runs allowed on 11 hits. One of those starts came at Fenway back in April when Colon went seven strong without allowing a run. Overall Colon has been excellent on the road in 2013 with a 10-3 record and an ERA of 2.73.

Gray has never taken the mound at Fenway Park and will likely be much more comfortable pitching his next two games at home in Game 5 of the ALDS and Game 3 of the ALCS should the A's advance.

It may not be the most traditional of moves to go to a rookie starter instead of your ace in such a big game, but Melvin would undoubtedly be going with his best starter at the moment and help set his team up perfectly for the next series.