Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, California
First pitch: 9:40 p.m. ET
TV: NBCS-CA / MASN (streaming options via Fubo and others)
This is the opener of a three-game series. Probable starters are RHP Brandon Young (Orioles) vs. LHP Jacob Lopez (Athletics).
Venue
Sutter Health Park (West Sacramento, CA), the Athletics’ temporary home venue.
Current Weather Forecast
Evening conditions for first pitch and the game: Mostly clear to partly cloudy after a daytime high near 81–86°F. Temperatures expected in the mid-to-upper 70s°F at first pitch, cooling toward the low-to-mid 60s°F later. Low precipitation chance (near 0–10% or slight earlier drizzle risk that should clear). Light south/southwest winds around 5–10 mph (gusts possible up to ~20 mph earlier). Pleasant late-summer conditions overall.
Injury Reports
Orioles
Blaze Alexander (INF/3B): 10-day IL (hand; rehab activity noted).
Tyler O’Neill (OF): 10-day IL (shoulder inflammation).
Longer-term/60-day: Zach Eflin (SP, elbow), Félix Bautista (RP, shoulder), Keegan Akin (RP, elbow), Ryan Helsley (RP, elbow), Ryan Mountcastle (1B, foot/oblique), Jordan Westburg (INF, UCL; season-ending), Colin Selby (RP, shoulder).
Athletics
Shea Langeliers (C): 10-day IL (knee/meniscus).
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (INF): 10-day IL (testicle/surgery-related).
José Suarez (RP): 15-day IL (hip; possible near-term return window).
Longer-term/60-day group includes Denzel Clarke (OF, foot/hamstring), Nick Kurtz (1B, thumb), Jacob Wilson (SS, shoulder), Tyler Soderstrom (OF, hip), Brent Rooker (DH, knee), Luis Severino (SP, shoulder), Brooks Kriske (RP, shoulder), Mark Leiter Jr. (RP, hip), Justin Sterner (RP, knee), Gunnar Hoglund (SP, knee/hip), and others.
Active rosters feature remaining core players. Orioles side typically includes Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, and supporting pieces. Athletics lineup draws from available options such as Jeff McNeil, Lawrence Butler, Zack Gelof, Carlos Cortes, and others. Confirm final lineups closer to first pitch.
Starting Pitchers and Key Matchups
Brandon Young (BAL, RHP): 9-3, 3.50 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 99 K in 123.1 IP. Competitive season with solid results; recent outings mixed but generally capable of limiting damage. Faces an Athletics lineup thinned by injuries but still capable of contact and power in spots.
Jacob Lopez (ATH, LHP): 5-4, 4.98 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 90 K in 94.0 IP. Higher ERA and WHIP; left-handed look provides platoon advantages against certain right-handed bats but vulnerability to hard contact.
Key angles: Alonso and Orioles power bats vs. Lopez (potential for extra-base damage). Athletics remaining hitters (McNeil contact, Butler power/speed elements) vs. Young’s mix. Young holds the clearer edge on form and ERA; Lopez’s handedness and home setting offer some counter. Bullpens are impacted by injuries on both sides.
Recent Team Forms
Orioles: Mixed recent results (e.g., series split/loss elements vs. Cardinals and Rays; roughly 3-2 or similar in last 5 in some tallies). Away record 31-35. Offense has shown power (team HR near top ranks) but inconsistent run production.
Athletics: Stronger recent form (4-1 in last 5 in reports, including wins over Twins and Astros). Home record 25-41 remains weak overall. Team ERA ranks poorly (near bottom). Both clubs are well out of contention but playing for development and pride.
Team context: Orioles edge in overall pitching and power; Athletics slightly better AVG but significantly worse run prevention.
Series History
2026 season series: Athletics led 2-1 from a May set in Baltimore. Recent multi-year meetings have been competitive, with Athletics taking several series. Overall historical edge to the Athletics franchise in some tallies. This is the first of three games in West Sacramento.
Betting Trends
Higher totals common given both teams’ run environments and Athletics’ home park tendencies. Unders have appeared in some prior H2H. Orioles road underdog/favorite value and better starter support the lean; Athletics recent form provides home underdog appeal. Pitcher differential favors Baltimore.
Game Odds
Baltimore Orioles – 108
Athletics 9.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, August 27, 2026
