Yesterday, the Athletics headed home riding some momentum after winning the final two games of their series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, securing their first series victory since June. Now, the team will look to keep the good vibes going tonight as they open a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, who own the best record in the American League and are coming off a sweep of the Mariners in Seattle.
Roster Move
Before the game, the team made a transaction. The A’s welcome versatile infielder
Zack Gelof back as injuries continue to interrupt his resurgent season. Infielder Jonathan Ornelas, who collected two hits in 12 at-bats, will likely return to Triple-A Las Vegas unless another team claims him off waivers.
Game Preview
Unlike the A’s, the small-market, low-payroll Rays have consistently built a winning team through savvy trades and free agent signings, complementing their elite player development system. Tampa Bay’s front office is regarded as one of the smartest and most efficient in the league, while manager Kevin Cash is one of the most highly-regarded managers in baseball. The Rays’ pitching staff has heavily contributed to their successful season. The team enters this series with the sixth-best ERA in the majors, a stark contrast to the A’s American League-worst ERA.
Over the past two games, the Athletics have received quality starts from their starting pitchers. Left-hander Jacob Lopez will look to make it three consecutive stellar starts, although he will be pitching at Sutter Health Park, which has become a house of horrors for the A’s pitching staff. The 28-year-old enters his 19th appearance and 16th start of the season with a 5-4 record, a 5.64 ERA, a 1.63 WHIP and 70 strikeouts across 75 innings pitched.
This evening, the A’s will need Lopez to continue his strong run of form since returning to the starting rotation. He received no decisions in his previous two outings despite allowing no more than two runs over at least five innings in each.
More importantly, Lopez has reined in his command problems, issuing just one walk in his most recent start against the Cincinnati Reds. He will need to keep firing strikes, as the Rays have stolen 116 bases this season and will make Lopez pay for giving them free passes.
Here’s how the Athletics will line up in tonight’s series opener:
The Green and Gold are switching things up as they prepare to face a right-handed starter for the first time since last Wednesday. First baseman Jeff McNeil will hit leadoff, as center fielder Henry Bolte moves down in the order.
Left fielder Carlos Cortes gets his first start in a while with Tyler Soderstrom serving as the designated hitter. Gelof will start at third base in his first game back, relegating Sunday’s hero, Max Muncy, to the bench. There is a strong likelihood that one or both of Muncy and Tommy White will be used as pinch-hitters if the Rays turn to a left-handed reliever in the later innings.
The Rays will counter with right-hander Freddy Peralta. The longtime Milwaukee Brewers ace is in the midst of a career-worst season. He began 2026 with the New York Mets, going 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA over 22 starts. The Rays acquired Peralta at the trade deadline, hoping to work their devil magic on the 30-year-old, two-time All-Star.
Peralta could not have asked for two worse places to begin his tenure in Tampa Bay. After allowing seven runs on nine hits against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, he will look to fare better at the A’s hitter-friendly home ballpark.
This will be the A’s second time facing Peralta this season. In April, he took the loss after allowing just one run on four hits over six innings.
And Tampa Bay’s starting lineup today shakes out like this:
The Rays’ lineup poses a challenge due to its mix of power and speed. Lopez must be careful against the team’s first three hitters, especially third baseman Junior Caminero, who has the power to hit a home run out of Sutter Health Park. The lineup weakens a bit after that; however, left fielder Chandler Simpson must be kept off the bases, as he is one of the fastest players in professional baseball.
Three in a row? I forgot what that feels like. Let’s make it happen A’s!
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