Good morning A’s fans. Happy Friday!
The Athletics entered their final road trip of the season riding high after scoring 25 runs and securing both series victories during a six-game homestand last week. The American League-best Tampa Bay Rays halted the Athletics’ momentum by sweeping them in three games for the second time in as many months.
The A’s used to be the embodiment of small-market success, but that baton has now been passed to the Rays, who have a legitimate shot at reaching the World Series
this fall. If the A’s want to reclaim their crown, the team must upgrade its pitching and defense, two major weak spots that heavily contributed to the Rays’ blowout victory yesterday.
That will be an offseason focus, as it is too late in the season to expect changes. At 92 losses with nine games left, the A’s need to win at least two games to avoid a dreaded 100-loss campaign.
This weekend, the team wraps up its road slate with three games against the 78-75 Cleveland Guardians, who are in a fierce battle with the Chicago White Sox for the American League Central title. After failing to play spoiler in Tampa Bay, the Athletics will look to lower the Guardians’ hopes of a third straight playoff appearance under manager Stephen Vogt—an A’s fan-favorite during his playing days.
Right-hander Mason Barnett will return from Triple-A Las Vegas to start tonight, while Cleveland will counter with opener Daniel Espino. Left-hander Jacob Lopez and right-hander Jack Perkins will make the Athletics final two road starts of 2026, while the team’s offense will look to scratch runs across against Guardians right-handers Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams.
What are you hoping to see from the Athletics in Cleveland? Which players should the A’s further evaluate and who should sit on the bench over these final nine games?
A’s Coverage:
- A’s Swept By Rays, Drop Finale 10-1
- Paralyzed A’s prospect Lasko released from rehab facility to ovation from staff
- Rays Walk-off A’s, 2-1, in Series Opener
- Injuries Out Of Control, But Why?
- No. 2 prospect in baseball De Vries undergoes successful shoulder surgery
- 2027 Infield Landscape Ever Changing
- A’s Win Series, Beat Mariners 8-7
- A’s Walk Off Blue Jays 6-5
- “Fast Movers” Might Be Key To Contention
- Billy Beane comments on the job Mark Kotsay has done this season.
- What the A’s Hiring Mike Rizzo would Signal and the Questions it Would Raise
- Bi-Polar Performance Arcs Make Evaluation Difficult
- A’s Designate José Suarez For Assignment
- Q&A: Clarke determined to finish strong with A’s after long IL stint
- It’s Been a Bummer Summer in Sacramento
- The A’s valuation rises with sales of 2 MLB clubs as Las Vegas move looms
- A’s, Circa ink 1st Las Vegas founding partnership deal
- Your 2026 Hacktastic A’s
- Athletics Considering James Click For GM Vacancy
- Daejon Love case brings back Eric Byrnes’ bizarre story of an A’s bat boy impersonation
- Get the best of Athletics Nation on the new SB Nation app
MLB News and Interest:
- MLB teams with potential 2026 managerial, front office changes
- Nats in extension talks with ace Cavalli (source)
- The next Shohei Ohtani? Why we haven’t seen more two-way stars
- Why Arte Moreno’s Angels sale may be unlike anything we ever see again
- Yankees activate Schmidt from 60-day IL, DFA Cabrera
- MLB Farm System Grades For Every Team In 2026
- Phillies place Jesús Luzardo on IL with shoulder inflammation
- Jameson Taillon Seeking Additional Opinions On Elbow, Won’t Return This Season
- Twins’ shortstop Kaelen Culpepper to injured list with hamstring strain
- Phils claim veteran pitcher Urquidy off waivers from White Sox
- Cardinals activate rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt from injured list
- D-backs To Activate Ryne Nelson, Designate Derek Law For Assignment
- Will these 5 teams take the next step in 2027?
- Picking the best player at eac h position who wasn’t a 2026 All-Star
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
Not good optics. Will the team turn things around before moving to Las Vegas, or will the losing stretch follow them to “Sin City”?
Yesterday’s game was not the first time sloppy defense and walks have resulted in an A’s loss this season. Both are areas that can be coached. The fact that these problems continue to happen suggests that manager Mark Kotsay and his coaching staff are struggling to teach these players how to play error-free baseball.
Athletics’ Las Vegas stadium feature update: The organization is fully embracing the casino culture synonymous with the city.
Do you think it’s fair to compare A’s players to legends of the game’s past? If so, share your best comparisons for the current members of the Green and Gold in the comments.
