Sogard to start at second for A's in Game 1

OAKLAND -- A's manager Bob Melvin has opted to start left-handed-hitter Eric Sogard at second base for Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Tigers over the switch-hitting Alberto Callaspo, who gives Oakland another late-game option against left-handed pitching. Watch Friday's game on TBS at 6:30 p.m. PT.

"Sogard will start tomorrow," Melvin said, "but the thing about Callaspo is, even when he doesn't start a game, you know you can match up with him, and it doesn't have to happen in a second-base position.

"He's been impactful for us. Really, as a teammate, he gets along very well here, has settled in very nicely and has been a great pickup for us."

The veteran Callaspo, acquired by the A's from the Angels shortly before the non-waiver Trade Deadline in July, has just two at-bats worth of postseason experience, both with the Rockies during the 2007 National League Championship Series. Sogard, having completed his first full big league season, has none.

But both have hit Detroit's pitching staff well this year, with Callaspo going 11-for-28 (.393) and Sogard racking up five hits in 15 at-bats, including two vs. Game 1 right-handed starter Max Scherzer.

For the season, Sogard hit .266 with 35 RBIs in 130 games. He made 104 of his 110 starts against right-handers, batting .274 off them. He also finished with a .985 fielding percentage, which ranked sixth in the AL for second basemen.