Welcome to Friday A’s fans!
Earlier this week, the A’s kicked off their latest homestand by taking two of three from the Minnesota Twins. After getting the day off yesterday, the Athletics will welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Sutter Health Park for a three-game weekend series. Like the Twins, the Orioles are in the mix for the American League’s third wild card spot, presenting the A’s with another chance to play spoiler.
The Orioles will be sending right-handers Brandon Young, Shane Baz and Chris
Bassitt to the mound. The A’s will counter with left-hander Jacob Lopez, followed by Jeffrey Springs and Jack Perkins this weekend. Given how much the latter two A’s pitchers have struggled this season, there’s a chance that one or both could pitch bulk innings in relief of an opener.
Regardless, if the A’s want to have a chance at winning their third straight series in Sacramento, the offense will need to keep producing. Right fielder Lawrence Butler has finally awakened, gradually pulling his batting average further away from its season-long flirtation with the Mendoza Line.
Corner infielder Tommy White has not looked completely overmatched in his first taste of major league pitching, although he has not quite lived up to his “Tommy Tanks” nickname. Meanwhile, middle infielders Donovan Walton and Alika Williams have been pleasant surprises. ‘
That quartet will need to continue producing over the final few weeks of the season if the Green and Gold want to avoid another 100-loss campaign. Last but not least, Zack Gelof and Jonah Heim— two players who did not start the season on the A’s active roster — need to snap out of their slumps and finish the season on a strong note.
While A’s fans in Sacramento will not get to enjoy a playoff-bound club, those in the franchise’s future home will have something to celebrate. The Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators, will play for the Pacific Coast League championship after winning the first-half title. The team’s top prospect, shortstop Leo De Vries, will not be available due to injury. On the other hand, top pitching prospect Jamie Arnold could make his Triple-A debut to help the Aviators, potentially serving as a prelude to his big-league debut sometime next season.
Further down the farm system, the Single-A Stockton Ports, who are littered with members of the club’s 2026 MLB Draft class, also have a shot at the playoffs. They are competing with Fresno for the Cal League North second-half playoff spot.
What are you looking forward to across the A’s organization as the season winds down? How can the franchise give its fans some hope before the looming lockout begins?
A’s Coverage:
- This key change(up) could unlock big success for A’s prospect
- A’s Take Series With Finale Win Over Twins 7-4
- A’s Even Series with 4-2 Victory
- Separating The Wheat From The Chaff Not So Easy
- Amidst The Despair: The Position Player Talent Is There
- What Are The Next Steps For The A’s? ($)
- Where Each A’s Player’s Contract Stands Entering Offseason
- Why Athletics Will Have Scary Offense in 2027
- Red-hot Bolte looking to build on lessons from rookie season
- ‘Kid has been grinding’: Butler’s resurgence, leadership fuel A’s
- Underdog Athletics prospect Cole Conn playing like a big dog for Aviators
- Behind the Plate, the A’s Face an Offseason Reckoning
- Why The New GM Needs To “Clean House”
- A Seemingly Rock Bottomless Glass
- MLB Trade Grades: A’s Have Quiet Trade Deadline
- This key change(up) could unlock big success for A’s prospect
- Fustercluck 2026: The Real Reasons For A Disappointing Season
MLB News and Interest:
- MLB’s latest CBA proposal aims to create more roster stability
- City Council approves Rays’ Tampa stadium deal
- Twins call up No. 15 overall prospect Walker Jenkins
- Updated 2026 MLB farm system rankings: Prospect insights, analysis
- For Venezuelan players, WBC joy eclipsed by earthquake relief effort
- Astros owner says manager Joe Espada will finish season
- Why the Diamondbacks keep putting up with Ketel Marte
- MLB players reveal a modern toll of legal gambling: Threats, DMs and encounters
- Giants’ Carson Whisenhunt Diagnosed With UCL Tear
- Sasaki exits in 4th inning with right middle finger blister
- Cubs set club record with 30th unanswered run over 3 games
- Could White Sox extend Murakami? ‘We’ve had some conversations,’ says GM Getz
- Ranking the top 10 free agents this offseason
- ’No excuses’: Pratt pulled for not hustling before Brewers lose on throwing error
- Padres minor league coordinator released from ICE detainment
- Cubs, Austin Wynns Agree To Minor League Deal
- Yimi García Undergoes Thoracic Outlet Surgery
- The hottest hitting prospects right now — one for each club
- Farm systems with the best catching prospects
- From the Bronx to the beach, Yankees exec is headed to TV
- Today in Baseball History
Best of X:
If proposals like this continue, this offseason’s looming lockout could last a while.
Davis Diaz is an underrated, versatile minor league prospect to watch in the A’s farm system.
The Athletics have a surplus of middle infielders. How should the team sort out the situation entering next season?
