After Derek Holland was scratched on Saturday night because of a migraine headache, the speculation was on before Saturday's game between the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's even ended.
Would it be Holland pitching in Sunday's season finale against the A's with a chance to knock the A's into a Wild Card play-in game, or would it be rookie starter Nick Martinez taking the hill for his final start of an up-and-down rookie season?
Interim manager Tim Bogar decided Holland wasn't well enough Sunday morning to make the start, but did make him available out of the bullpen, and as it turned out, he was the first to come in for relief when Martinez exited the game after 5 2/3 innings, having allowed two runs.
Holland threw 2 2/3 innings and gave up two runs — one earned — before exiting in the ninth when the A's stretched their lead to 4-0 over the Rangers.
The day didn't end like we all wanted, with the A's having to play a game against Seattle on Monday to earn a spot in Tuesday's Wild Card Game, but Rangers fans were treated to seeing two starters do their thing on Sunday.
