NEW YORK -- The A's don't know their exact pitching plans following opener Liam Hendriks on Wednesday, but one thing is for sure.
If the A's have a lead over the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game, Blake Treinen will be on the mound at the end.
Oakland's closer put together one of the greatest seasons in baseball history, going 9-2 with 38 saves and a 0.78 ERA. He became the first pitcher to record 30 or more saves and 100-plus strikeouts while having an ERA under 1.00.
Treinen also provided great length, pitching more than one inning on 19 different occasions, including a season-high three innings on April 18.
A's manager Bob Melvin said he wouldn't count out seeing that again Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.
"I wouldn't put past him being able to pitch three innings, to tell you the truth," Melvin said. "He's a former starter -- got a rubber arm. There are days that we have to tell him, 'You're not pitching today,' after pitching three days in a row. He wants to pitch. He always wants to come in for one-plus. ... We're not afraid to use him for multiple innings, and that's a benefit."
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Added Treinen: "The season comes down to tomorrow, so if I feel fresh, and [if] they want to call me in whatever inning it might be, I'll be ready. Whatever is needed, I'll be ready for."
Treinen has thrown as many as 44 pitches in a game this season, going over 40 twice and over 30 five times. He will be well-rested, having last pitched Saturday in Anaheim, and he said he's excited to be a part of Wednesday's bullpenning effort.
"We're all just willing to do whatever it takes to win," Treinen said. "This is what's going to work for us and we're going to ride it out. ... I'm excited to see what this game does because it's kind of a first of its kind, and I think we all fully embrace that."
