The Athletics are carrying real momentum into their series with the Orioles, but the pitching setup suggests that edge may not last all the way through.
After taking a series from the Astros, the AL West leader, and then putting together another strong series against the Twins, the A’s have reason to feel good about where they are. The problem is that the matchup tilts differently once the series moves beyond the opener. The Athletics hold the overall pitching advantage only once in this set, and that makes the later games feel much more fragile.
Jacob Lopez gives the A’s their best shot in Game 1. Since the break, he has emerged as the club’s unlikely ace, working to a 2.33 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 38.2 innings. If he handles his start, the Athletics could use that early lift to carry some of the momentum deeper into the series.
The Orioles counter with Brandon Young, who has been up and down in August. His most recent outing against the Rays lasted 5.2 innings and ended with two runs allowed on six hits and three walks.
Before that, he faced the Rays again and gave up four runs on three home runs in 4.0 innings. For the season, Young is 9-3 with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP, but the A’s still have to figure out which version shows up Friday.
The real pressure point comes in the middle of the series, where the Athletics turn to Jack Perkins. He has the numbers of a pitcher the team would rather not lean on in a big spot: 3-9 with a 6.68 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP this year.
The A’s have recently paired Perkins with Brady Basso to open games, but that approach may not be so easy to repeat here. Basso was used in the final game against the Twins, and the two pitchers combined to allow six earned runs against the Astros. That leaves Mark Kotsay with a decision to make if he wants to stick with the same formula against Baltimore.
On the Orioles’ side, Shane Baz has been serviceable in August, though not especially sharp. He has thrown 29.1 innings this month with a 4.30 ERA.
His best outing came against the Rangers, when he went 8.0 innings, allowed three hits and two runs, and walked one batter. Still, his last three starts have all featured at least three runs allowed, and he has reached the seventh inning only once in that stretch.
Jeffrey Springs enters the finale coming off a rough one against the Twins, where he allowed seven hits and four runs in 4.2 innings. That followed a cleaner outing against the Royals, when he gave up five hits and two runs in 5.2 innings. If Springs is the one on the mound in the last game, the Athletics may not have much room to lean on the bullpen.
Among the Orioles pitchers mentioned here, Bassitt has been the steadiest in August. Over 17.2 innings, he has allowed 19 hits and six runs.
In his latest start against the Cardinals, he worked 6.2 innings and gave up six hits and one run. If the series is hanging in the balance by that point, the Athletics’ offense will have to find another gear.
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