MESA, Ariz. — Bob Melvin still isn’t ready to make the call on his Opening Day starter, but if it isn’t Kendall Graveman, it’s only because the A’s want a nice, leisurely paced three-hour ballgame to sell more of that cheaper beer they’re promising.
Graveman, Oakland’s best starting pitcher in 2016, looks every bit like he’s going to keep that title in 2017 and maybe even kick it up a notch to legitimate ace status. He was masterful over six innings in his fourth spring training outing Saturday, limiting the San Diego Padres to two hits and one run in a 2-1 A’s victory.