The Oakland Athletics are currently grappling with a substantial home series losing streak, a challenge they hope to overcome in their upcoming game against the Texas Rangers. The team has not secured a home series victory since June 2026, marking a considerable period of struggle, especially on their home turf. Their performance at home has been particularly concerning, reflected in a historically high home ERA, the worst in Major League Baseball. Despite these hurdles, the Athletics see a glimmer of hope in their pursuit of a series win, particularly with pitcher Jacob Lopez delivering impressive performances since the All-Star break.
The Athletics' recent track record reveals a challenging period, having lost their last six home series and enduring a 0-12-1 record in their previous 13 games in Sacramento. Over their last 23 home games, the team has managed to secure only four victories against 19 losses. This struggle is further highlighted by their current home ERA of 6.52, which stands as the highest in MLB history. The previous record for the worst home ERA was 5.90, set in 1936, indicating the extent of the Athletics' current pitching struggles at home.
Despite these daunting statistics, Sunday's game presents a crucial opportunity for the Athletics to turn the tide. Following their 8-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night, the team has a chance to clinch the series in the finale. The Athletics will be relying on left-hander Jacob Lopez, who boasts a 5-4 record and a 5.38 ERA. Lopez has been a standout performer since rejoining the rotation after the All-Star break, recording an impressive 2.36 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in his last five starts.
Lopez's recent performances have been particularly noteworthy. He held the formidable Red Sox to just one run over 5 ⅓ innings in July and limited the Tampa Bay Rays, the top team in the American League, to two earned runs over seven innings earlier in the week. His batting average against has significantly improved to .196 in the second half of the season, while his strikeout rate has surged to 29.1%, a substantial increase from his 16.4% rate in the first half. Concurrently, his walk rate has decreased to 9.1%. This improved mentality and performance on the mound mirror his success in the latter half of the 2025 season.
The Texas Rangers will counter with left-hander Cody Bradford, who holds a 0-1 record and a 2.38 ERA. Bradford is making his third start of the season after undergoing left elbow surgery in June 2025. His last encounter with the Athletics was in 2024, where he faced them twice at home and once on the road, with his road start being the second-to-last game at the Oakland Coliseum. For the Athletics, the immediate goals extend beyond just winning games; they aim to restore a winning culture within their clubhouse and play the role of spoiler within their division. Sunday's game offers a prime opportunity to achieve both objectives.
