Sonny Gray Is Starting To Look Brilliant Again

Sonny Gray turned in a masterful performance on Wednesday afternoon and is starting to look brilliant on the mound.

Sonny Gray picked up another win on Wednesday afternoon as the A’s defeated the Marlins, 4-1. Gray improved to 2-1 on the season thanks to his seven innings of dominance over the fish.

In his seven innings of work, Gray struck out 11 (one shy of his career high) and lowered his ERA to 3.34 on the year. The A’s right hander has been on quite a nice little roll as of late.

Over his last three starts, Gray has posted a brilliant, yes, brilliant, 22:5 K:BB. The A’s watched Gray throw 27 sliders on Wednesday with great success. Of his 11 strikeouts, 9 were a result of Gray’s wicked slider.

Entering Wednesday’s game against the Marlins, opponents were hitting just .083 against the pitch. After Miami’s 0-for-12 performance against the pitch, Sonny’s slider is starting to look masterful.

Part of Gray’s success this year has been his stability. He’s remained healthy this year and has provided the A’s with veteran leadership. The young rotation has plenty of talented arms in Kendall Graveman and Sean Manaea, but Gray’s presence adds some serious credibility to the group.

With continued success, however, Gray’s presence in that young starting group may not last for the entire year. Billy Beane and David Forst will likely be inclined to deal Gray by the trade deadline this year if the team is struggling.

If the A’s find a way to remain relevant in June and July, the team could keep Gray for a playoff run. The A’s know, however, that with more success Gray only becomes more expensive in the process.

At this point, though, this is all just speculation.

For now, the A’s should be happy with Gray’s progression this season.

Gray’s last three starts: 

(5/24)7.03111188WIN3.34vs Red Sox

(5/18)6.04382103WIN3.97@ Rangers

(5/13)6.05232106–3.78

The A’s will face a tougher challenge during Gray’s next start in Cleveland against the Indians.