The Sacramento Athletics return to Sutter Health Park on Tuesday, September 22 to host the Los Angeles Angels in a 9:40 PM ET first pitch. Brady Basso gets the ball for the A's against veteran left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight for a Sacramento club looking to close out 2026 on a high note. This is a winnable matchup at home, and the lineup manager has put together for tonight gives the A's a legitimate shot to take it.

Probable Pitchers: Brady Basso vs. Yusei Kikuchi

Basso draws the start for Sacramento in what figures to be a meaningful late-season outing. The left-hander has worked his way into the A's rotation and will need to control the running game and limit free passes to keep the A's defense in a position to succeed. On the other side, Kikuchi is a crafty veteran who lives off his ability to change speeds and mix his pitch selection. He can be hittable when batters lay off his chase pitches, so patience at the plate will be the key for Sacramento's lineup.

Sacramento Athletics Starting Lineup

• Henry Bolte — LF
• Shea Langeliers — DH
• Lawrence Butler — RF
• Zack Gelof — 3B
• Tommy White — 1B
• Joshua Kuroda-Grauer — 2B
• Jonah Heim — C
• Alika Williams — SS
• Denzel Clarke — CF

Keys to Watch for the Athletics

Lawrence Butler and Zack Gelof in the Heart of the Order

Butler batting third and Gelof cleanup gives Sacramento a real middle-of-the-order punch. If those two can get extended at-bats against Kikuchi and drive runners in, the A's offense will be in good shape. Kikuchi's stuff can be neutralized when hitters stay disciplined and work counts deep into his sequences.

Henry Bolte Setting the Tone at the Top

Bolte leads off from left field, and his job is simple: get on base and make the Angels' defense work early. A quick first inning from Bolte and Langeliers behind him puts immediate pressure on Kikuchi and sets up the middle of the order to do damage.

Basso Limiting Damage in the Early Innings

The Angels are capable of manufacturing runs, so Basso needs to be sharp from the first pitch. Keeping the ball in the park and stranding runners in scoring position will be critical. If Basso can eat five or six quality innings, Sacramento's bullpen can handle the rest.

Prediction

This is a game Sacramento should take at home. The lineup is constructed well, the top of the order has the pieces to create pressure early, and Sutter Health Park has been a genuine advantage for this club. Kikuchi is a quality arm, but he can be solved. Expect a competitive, lower-scoring affair that the A's edge out in the late innings. Athletics 4, Angels 2.

Catch the game on NBCSCA or ABTV, presented by Pechanga Resort Casino. Radio coverage available on Talk 650 KSTE and A's Cast, with Spanish-language radio on KVMX 92.1/105.5.