Athletics Smoked Again: Takeaways From Blow-Out Loss to Rays

The Athletics would get completely dismantled in the loss on Wednesday.

Aug 6, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Athletics' pitcher Mason Barnett walks in the dugout after being removed from the game against the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Athletics have had the worst follow-up series ever.

After beating the Red Sox cleanly in the previous series, there was some hope that the A's would be able to contend with one of the best teams in baseball. On Monday, the Athletics looked the part, but would choke a four-run lead in the eighth. Fast forward to Tuesday, and it would look like the Athletics forgot how to play baseball, losing 12-4.

Mason Barnett Proved the Athletics' Season Is Over

Athletics pitcher Mason Barnett (63) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Athletics at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Athletics' rotation has done a lot to improve since the break. With Jacob Lopez looking like a rising star, Gage Jump improving start-to-start, and JT Ginn remaining the Athletics' overall ace, there is a lot of room for the Athletics to turn things around. But with Mason Barnett's start on Tuesday, it is clear that the Athletics will not be able to take the next step this season.

That part was obvious: the Athletics' season is already over. But when the Athletics lose a game within the first four innings, it is hard to ignore how depressing this season has actually become. The worst part is that Barnett is the replacement for Jeffrey Springs, a pitcher who might be even worse.

The Yunior Tur Experiment Needs To End

Jul 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Yunior Tur (70) jogs to the mound and makes his MLB Debut against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Athletics would call up Yunior Tur after sending down Hayden Juenger, a move that many people didn't think made sense at the time. Outside of Juenger's collapse against Boston, he has been a solid reliever for the Athletics. Overall, has done more good than Tur has in his short time in the majors.

On the year, Tur has made three outings, with a 32.79 ERA and a 3.86 WHIP. Clearly, the Athletics are throwing darts blind folded, hoping something hits. But in this case, the dart landed outside the wall in center field.

How Will Lawrence Butler Respond?

Aug 5, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Athletics' outfielder Lawrence Butler runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lawrence Butler has been an interesting player this season. Not only has he failed to reach preseason expectations, but at times, he has looked like the greatest player of all time. In this series, he is 3-for-8 with a run and two RBIs, including a two-run home run in the loss on Tuesday.

If Butler can keep this up, there is a chance the Athletics may be able to turn things around, if combined with the efforts of Zack Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom. However, if Butler fails, the Athletics will be right back where they started.