Athletics Swept Again: What We Learned From Devastating Series

The Athletics, after turning things around against Boston, would fall completely flat against the Rays.

Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Athletics manager Mark Kotsay (7) looks on before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After a very successful series against Boston, in which the Athletics would win outright 2-1, it is still very clear that this team cannot put things together.

The Athletics' season is completely in the gutter. With Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers both out for the season, and the team being 27 games under .500, there is no longer hope for a full turnaround. While this is a troubling notion, the Athletics would still show us signs of what is to come.

Zack Gelof Is Taking the Next Step

Aug 12, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (20) looks on after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With Kurtz and Langeliers out for the season, the Athletics definitely have the talent to fall back on for the most part. Tyler Soderstrom, Jacob Wilson, Lawrence Butler, and even Jeff McNeil, for the most part. But out of those players, it is clear that Zack Gelof has the most promising future ahead.

This season, Gelof is batting .280, first among Athletics with at least 200 at-bats, with a .833 OPS (second), and 13 home runs (fourth). His recent breakout will set the stage for the team's major success down the road. In the series, Gelof would bat .417 with two home runs and three RBIs. Not too shabby.

The Athletics Rotation Is Terrible After Jacob Lopez

Jul 27, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Jack Perkins (50) walks back to the dugout after being removed from the game during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Athletics would get completely squandered in Games 2 and 3, after a very impressive 7.0-inning outing from Jacob Lopez in the Game 1 loss. This would be followed by a rough outing from Mason Barnett, in which he would pitch 4.0 innings while allowing five runs and five hits.

If you thought that start was bad, wait until you read Jack Perkins' stat line from Wednesday. He would pitch 5.0 innings while allowing 12 hits and six of the eight runs scored by the Rays. Thankfully, the Athletics will not have the "doomed duo" on the mound until the Royals series, starting on Aug. 17. This begs the question: Is the current rotation configuration the reason the Athletics can't win consistently?

The Athletics' Bullpen Is Still Bad

Aug 8, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Athletics pitcher Seth Johnson (52) pitches during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Athletics' bullpen has been up and down all season, which is partly why they are dead last in MLB in ERA as a group. Outside of Game 3, where Perkins would struggle mightily, the Athletics bullpen would completely collapse in the series opener and in the loss on Tuesday.

As mentioned earlier, Jacob Lopez would pitch 7.0 innings, while allowing just two runs. When taken out, the A's would have a very comfortable 6-2 lead. The team then collapsed in the eighth, as the Athletics bullpen, featuring Jose Suarez and Seth Johnson, would combine for eight earned runs. If there are any fingers to point to as to why the momentum disappeared, look no further than the bullpen.