Melvin to go with four best pitchers in playoffs

ANAHEIM -- A's manager Bob Melvin isn't tipping his hand on a potential postseason rotation, but it doesn't seem too hard to figure out.

Particularly, because Melvin said on Monday that he doesn't believe opponent or location will be a factor in the decision-making process.

"At this point, I don't think so," Melvin said. "I think you run the best guys out there in order that you think are the best guys suited to win on a particular night for you."

In that case, the all-right-handed rotation is likely to line up like this: Bartolo Colon, Jarrod Parker, A.J. Griffin and Sonny Gray, with Dan Straily being the odd man out.

Griffin was initially scheduled to start Monday's series opener against the Angels but, after securing the American League West title on Sunday, the A's opted to go with lefty Tommy Milone in order to give each of the starting five an extra day off. Because of Thursday's off-day, Colon, Parker and Gray will all get two extra days' rest.

Milone, like Straily, could keep throwing in instructional league games following Sunday's regular-season finale to stay stretched out in the event the A's need their services at some point in the playoffs.