The Sacramento Athletics head south to Anaheim for a Sunday afternoon tilt against the Los Angeles Angels, with first pitch scheduled for 3:15 PM ET on June 28, 2026. Aaron Civale gets the ball for Sacramento against Angels lefty Sam Aldegheri at Angel Stadium. This is a divisional matchup that carries real weight — every AL West game in the second half of June shapes the landscape heading into July, and the A's can't afford to let one slip away against a rebuilding Angels squad that is nonetheless capable of doing damage at home.

Probable Pitchers: Civale vs. Aldegheri

Aaron Civale takes the mound for the Athletics, and this start will tell us something meaningful about where he is as a piece of Sacramento's rotation puzzle. Civale is a veteran who works with command and mix rather than overpowering stuff — he needs to establish his sinker early and keep the ball on the ground to be effective. Against an Angels lineup that features genuine pop in the middle of the order, any stretch where Civale loses his release point could get expensive fast.

On the other side, Sam Aldegheri draws the assignment for Los Angeles. The young left-hander represents exactly the kind of arm the Athletics need to handle if they're serious about competing in this division. Hitting a developing starter early, working pitch counts, and forcing the Angels bullpen into action by the fifth or sixth inning should be a priority for Sacramento's lineup.

Los Angeles Angels Starting Lineup to Watch

• Zach Neto leads off at shortstop — one of the more legitimate offensive threats at the top of this order and a player who can set the tone early with his plate discipline and gap power.
• Jo Adell bats cleanup in right field. Adell's raw power has always been the headline, and if Civale catches too much of the plate, Adell has the ability to change the game with one swing.
• Nolan Schanuel slots in at DH in the three-hole — a patient, contact-oriented hitter who can be tough to put away when he's seeing the ball well.
• Vaughn Grissom at first base bats fifth and adds another layer of athleticism to this middle of the order worth monitoring.

Keys to the Game for Sacramento

• Civale's command in the first three innings: Get through the Neto-Guzman-Schanuel-Adell stretch without a crooked number and Sacramento stays in control of the game.
• Capitalize on Aldegheri early: Young starters can be shaky before they settle in. The A's lineup needs to attack in the first two innings and not let Aldegheri find his rhythm for free.
• Limit the Angels' running game: With Neto at the top and athleticism throughout this order, Sacramento's battery needs to be sharp holding runners.
• Bullpen management: If Civale exits before the seventh, Sacramento's relief corps must bridge the gap cleanly. Sloppy middle innings have cost the A's in similar road situations.

Broadcast Information

Sunday's game can be heard locally on Talk 650 KSTE and streamed via A's Cast. Television coverage is available on NBCSN and Peacock.

Prediction

This one hinges almost entirely on how long Civale can go and whether Sacramento's lineup solves Aldegheri before he settles in. The Angels at home with a rested young starter is a genuine challenge. That said, the A's have enough professional at-bats in the lineup to get to Aldegheri by the third time through the order. Give the edge to Sacramento in a close one, 4-3, on the strength of a steady Civale outing and a timely extra-base hit against the Angels bullpen.