MLB Player News

Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray couldn't outpitch Tigers starter Justin Verlander in Game 5 of the American League Division Series Thursday, giving up three earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out three in his team's 3-0 loss.

Gray surrendered a two-run homer to Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera in the fourth inning and left the sixth inning with two runners on base, one of which came around to score. Unable to replicate his excellent performance in Game 2, Gray walked more batters Thursday than he did in any of his previous starts for the A's in the regular season or postseason.

Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander turned in a gem Thursday, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out 10 in eight scoreless innings as the Tigers defeated the A's 3-0 in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.

The Tigers move on to face the Red Sox in the American League Championship Series thanks to Verlander's continued dominance of the A's in the postseason. He's made four starts against the A's over the last two postseasons, allowing just one earned run in 31 innings while striking out 43 batters.

Verlander will likely be handed the ball in Game 3 of the ALCS Tuesday in Detroit.

The Athletics have named Sonny Gray the starter for Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Tigers Thursday.

Gray pitched eight scoreless innings in Game 2's 1-0 win. The A's have opted to use him in Thursday's elimination game over Game 1 starter Bartolo Colon, who could be available in relief if needed.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin is considering using rookie hurler Sonny Gray over veteran Bartolo Colon for Thursday's pivotal Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Tigers in Oakland, the Contra Costa Times reports.

Gray threw eight shutout innings in Game 2 on Saturday. Colon, an 18-game winner in the regular season, allowed three runs and 10 hits over six innings of a 3-2 Game 1 defeat. He would be pitching on an extra day of rest.

"Bartolo has been our rock and our leader, and Sonny has been our hot hand. Either option is a plus," pitcher Brett Anderson told MLB.com after the game.

The Tigers will give the ball to Justin Verlander for Thursday's pivotal Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Athletics in Oakland.

Verlander tossed seven scoreless innings and only yielded four hits and one walk while striking out 11 in Game 2. He has gone 20 consecutive innings without allowing a run, dating back to the regular season.

Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb was not as sharp as he's been Monday night during his American League Division Series Game 3 start against Boston. He was let off the hook as the Rays ended up winning the game and staving off elimination. 

Cobb went just five innings and gave up three runs -- two earned -- on five hits and two walks. He struck out five batters and his his pitch count elevated to 94. The 26-year-old Cobb was dominant in the wild card game at Cleveland, but didn't have his best stuff Monday. 

Cobb pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Indians to get the Rays to this point. He went 11-3 over 22 starts during the regular season with an exceptional 2.76 ERA. 

Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco will not qualify for arbitration this winter, MLB.com reports Monday. Carrasco fell six days shy of earning his Super Two status. He will be arbitration-eligible for the first time following the 2014 season. 

The 26-year-old Carrasco had a 6.75 ERA this season with a 30-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 46 2/3 innings. 

The Rays have named Alex Cobb as their starting pitcher for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Red Sox on Monday. The Rays trail the best-of-five series 2-0, so they will face elimination with another loss.

Cobb stymied the Indians in the AL Wild Card Game last Wednesday, tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander turned a dominating performance but failed to factor into the decision in Saturday's loss to the A's in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

Verlander allowed four hits and one walk while striking out 11 over seven scoreless innings of a 1-0 defeat.

Athletics rookie starter Sonny Gray matched Justin Verlander pitch per pitch as he turned in an impressive performance in his postseason debut against the Tigers in the American League Division Series.

Gray fired eight scoreless innings and allowed only four hits and two walks while striking out nine. He failed to factor into the decision in a 1-0 Game 2 victory.