Athletics Mauled: Top Takeaways From Ugly Loss to Detroit

After a decent series against the Red Sox, the Athletics would get pummeled by the Tigers.

Jul 26, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Athletics pitcher Luis Morales (19) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Even though the Athletics would lose the Red Sox series 1-3, there was still a lot to build off of.

A 13-1 scoreline was something no one saw coming. After a decent but obviously not good Red Sox series, there was some hope that the Athletics would be able to get things going against a choppy Tigers team. But after nine innings, it is clear that this Athletics team has a lot to figure out.

A Bullpen Collapse No One Saw Coming

Jul 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Athletics pitcher Brady Basso against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Athletics bullpen has been miserable since the break; that's no question. But the contributors to this malpractice are the shocking part. Luis Medina has been unreliable; the same goes for Jose Suarez. And just recently, Brady Basso, who was considered a top option in the pen, allowed three runs (two earned) and four hits in 2.0 innings.

But the most disheartening performance from the game was from Luis Morales, a pitcher who was trending to enter the starting rotation. Morales would pitch 2.0 innings, while allowing six hits and eight runs, six of those runs coming from homers. With the Athletics running out of pitchers, it is unlikely this problem will be fixed, barring a trade.

The Athletics' Offense Is Simply Terrible

Jul 26, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) swings at a pitch during the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Athletics' offense was considered elite for a good chunk of the season. But since the break, the offense has fallen completely flat, with guys like Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, and Tommy White becoming complete non-factors in recent games. If you add the historically bad pitching in the mix, you will inevitably get a dumpster fire.

In the loss, the Athletics as a team would go 3-for-29 (.103 BA), while leaving five runners on base, including three runners in scoring position. Soderstrom was the biggest culprit, as he would go 0-for-2 with RISP. After a while, you have to ask yourself if this "young core" actually has what it takes to push this team over the edge.

This Should Be Jeffrey Springs' Last Start

Jul 26, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs (59) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jeffrey Springs has not been a good pitcher for the Athletics all season. In the loss, he pitched 4.0 innings, allowing four hits and two runs. And while this was not his worst start, he would also walk five batters during the game. With how prone he is to giving up home runs, his recent control issues are a recipe for disaster.

Luckily for Springs, his projected replacement, Luis Morales, would get annihilated in the loss. And as mentioned earlier, the Athletics are running out of options at the position to begin with. The only pitcher who could take his spot is Mason Barnett, but even he is not that reliable.