Callaspo may start at second base in Game 5

OAKLAND -- If A's manager Bob Melvin makes a change to his postseason lineup -- a matter he's discussed but mainly elected to avoid through the first four games of the American League Division Series -- the change will come at second base.

The lone difference between Tuesday's Game 4 lineup and the lineup for Game 5, airing at 5 p.m. PT Thursday on TBS, would be whether Alberto Callaspo gets the nod instead of Eric Sogard.

Sogard has started every game of the postseason, going 0-for-9 with one walk, and has been pinch-hit for by Callaspo in three of those games. In his role as pinch-hitter, Callaspo has gone 1-for-3 with a leadoff double in the eighth inning of Game 2 and a hard-hit flyout against Max Scherzer with two outs and the bases loaded in the eighth inning of Game 4.

Through the first four games of the series, Melvin has said he likes having Callaspo on the bench for vital situations. The utility infielder, who was acquired from the Angels earlier in the year at the trade deadline, offers Melvin a switch-hitting option who rarely strikes out.

"The balance always with him is can you pick a spot in a game where it's a leverage situation and you know you're going to get your matchup with him," Melvin said on Wednesday. "He hits well both left- and right-handed, so that's what we weigh because we typically make in-game moves and he's a big part of those.

"There is definitely a chance that he could start. If not, you may look at him the same as we always do, looking to put him in in a big spot. I don't look to any other changes."