RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 22: Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics throws a pitch during the third inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on August 22, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After receiving a day off yesterday, the Athletics welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Sutter Health Park tonight to kick off a three-game weekend series. The Orioles are one of several teams in the mix for the American League’s third wild card spot, giving the A’s another chance to play spoiler.
Team News and Roster Moves
Today, Rick Rodriguez, a longtime pitching coach in the A’s organization, announced his retirement after 43 seasons of helping young pitchers take the next steps in their careers.
Thank you for everything, Ricky Rod 💚 pic.twitter.com/rd1UqmQt83
— Athletics (@Athletics) August 28, 2026
Speaking of pitchers, the Athletics welcomed back one of their left-handed relievers for this series. Left-hander José Suarez returns from the injured list, with fellow left-hander Drew Rom optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in the corresponding move.
Rom, who has less experience and potentially more upside, will look to regain his form with the Aviators. The A’s, meanwhile, will count on Suarez to help their league-worst bullpen and show that activating him was the right decision rather than designating him for assignment.
We have made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/CMA67nR7Ee
— Athletics (@Athletics) August 28, 2026
Game Preview
A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez will make the start in this evening’s series-opener. The 28-year-old enters his 22nd appearance and 19th start of the season with a 5-4 record, a 4.98 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP and 90 strikeouts over 94 innings.
For Lopez, it has been a tale of two halves. Since returning to the team’s rotation after the All-Star Break, the southpaw has arguably been the Athletics’ most consistent starting pitcher. Lopez has gone 1-1 with a 2.33 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over his last seven starts.
Despite not allowing more than two runs in any of his past five outings, Lopez is riding a five-game no-decision streak. He hopes to snap that tonight by picking up his sixth victory and pitching the A’s to their third straight win. Lopez will also look to make it two wins in two starts against the Orioles after holding them to two runs over 5 1/3 innings in an A’s victory in Baltimore on May 8.
Here’s the lineup Athletics’ manager Mark Kotsay is going with this evening:
friYAY 😄 pic.twitter.com/hEwg9eqJOW
— Athletics (@Athletics) August 28, 2026
Following Wednesday’s comeback victory that clinched the series against the Minnesota Twins, the A’s will look for some Friday night magic from this starting nine. Right fielder Lawrence Butler seeks to continue his torrid August, while the team will once again need center fielder Henry Bolte and second baseman Jeff McNeil to set the table atop the lineup.
Designated hitter Max Muncy is part of the team’s increasingly crowded mix of infielders. Both Muncy and shortstop Alika Williams have an opportunity today and throughout the remainder of the season to show why they deserve a spot on the Athletics’ roster next year.
The A’s offense will face Orioles right-hander Brandon Young, who is in the midst of a strong sophomore campaign. The 28-year-old enters his 23rd start of the season with a 9-3 record, a 3.50 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and 99 strikeouts over 123 1/3 innings.
In Young’s last start against the Tampa Bay Rays, he received a no-decision after allowing two runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander will look for redemption in his second career start against the A’s after allowing six runs over three innings in April 2025. Will these two pitchers each receive another no-decision, or will one of them come away with the victory?
And Baltimore’s starting nine for this matchup:
Weekend out West. 📺 @masnOrioles & MASN+ 📻 98 Rock 97.9 FM & WBAL 1090 AM pic.twitter.com/zLNwmafMO9
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 28, 2026
This will be the Athletics first game against the Orioles since they traded former No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox. Another former No. 1 overall pick, second baseman Jackson Holliday, remains with the team, although he has not quite lived up to expectations.
With star shortstop Gunnar Henderson and talented rookie catcher Samuel Basallo on the bench to start this contest, Lopez must pitch especially carefully to power hitters Pete Alonso and Coby Mayo, who both have the power to crush baseballs into the Sacramento River.
Time to make it three straight wins and put another dent in the Orioles’ playoff hopes. Let’s go A’s!
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