RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesSACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Mason Barnett #63 Athletics pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on July 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This morning, the Athletics will face the Cincinnati Reds one final time, looking to avoid a sweep and finally snap their losing streak. Winning baseball games has proved elusive for the A’s over the past two months, as they have endured a free-fall down the standings.
Right-hander Mason Barnett will get the start for the Green & Gold, making his first career appearance against Cincinnati. The 25-year-old enters his 16th appearance and second start of the season with a 1-1 record, a 4.85 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and 29 strikeouts across 29 2/3 innings pitched.
After initially pitching in relief following his call-up from Triple-A, Barnett recently moved into the rotation to fill a void created by injuries to several A’s starters. He will look to replicate his performance from his first start of the season, when he received a no-decision after allowing three runs on four hits over five innings against the Boston Red Sox.
In the first two games of this interleague series, the Athletics received quality outings from their starters, only to watch a reliever either blow the lead or surrenderer the go-ahead run in a tie game. Both times, the offense failed to mount a come back, saddling the reliever with the loss and wasting another strong effort from the starting rotation.
If the A’s want to avoid yet another sweep, they will need Barnett to make it three straight quality starts and the bullpen to either hold a lead or keep the game tied long enough for the offense to push across the go-ahead run late in the contest.
Here’s how the Athletics’ lineup looks today courtesy of manager Mark Kotsay:
final game in Cincy 🤝 pic.twitter.com/hDFstUYj9z
— Athletics (@Athletics) August 6, 2026
This lineup reflects how much the A’s have been affected by injuries this season. Rookies Henry Bolte and Tommy White lead things off, while the bottom third of the lineup lacks the production typically expected from major league regulars. However, shortstop Alika Williams has been a pleasant surprise, showcasing an improved bat to complement his steady defense up the middle.
Starting shortstop Jacob Wilson is not playing today, a decision that raises questions about the severity of the injuries he has been dealing with. If the A’s want to avoid a sweep, they will need significantly more production from their offense. Max Muncy has the opportunity to provide a spark, while left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and right fielder Lawrence Butler will also need to deliver at the plate.
That lineup will face Reds’ left-hander Andrew Abbot, who enters his 24th start of the season with a 5-7 record, a 3.91 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP and 95 strikeouts across 122 innings pitched. The 27-year-old, who will be making his first start against the A’s, has been pitching well lately, despite going winless over his past seven starts. In his last outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and five walks over five innings.
The 2025 National League All-Star poses a tough matchup for a struggling A’s offense, which will need to capitalize on any opportunities it gets and any mistake pitches Abbot leaves over the plate.
And here’s Cincy’s starting lineup for the series finale:
Abbott on the mound for the series finale Powered by @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/oz9GDgdHE2
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 6, 2026
Barnett will need to be careful when facing the Reds dynamic duo atop the lineup: shortstop Elly De La Cruz and National League Rookie of the Year candidate: first baseman Sal Stewart. The Reds have additional threats in former A’s player JJ Bleday and slugger Eugenio Suárez. Top prospect Hector Rodríguez will look to make an impact for the hosts as he searches for his first major league hit.
Let’s get back in the win column. Let’s go A’s!
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