The Sacramento Athletics return to Sutter Health Park on Sunday, July 19, for a 4:05 PM ET first pitch against the Washington Nationals. Jacob Lopez gets the ball for the A's, squaring off against Foster Griffin for Washington in what shapes up as a pitching matchup worth watching as both clubs continue pushing through the heart of the 2026 season. For Sacramento, home games carry extra weight — Sutter Health Park has been a genuine advantage, and this is exactly the kind of Sunday afternoon contest the A's need to bank.

Pitching Matchup: Jacob Lopez vs. Foster Griffin

Jacob Lopez draws the start for the Athletics. Without a full statistical line available heading into Sunday, the focus shifts to execution — Lopez will need to work efficiently, limit walks, and keep Washington's lineup from stringing together the kind of multi-run innings that can turn a winnable afternoon sideways in a hurry.

Foster Griffin takes the mound for the Nationals. A left-handed presence in an opponent's rotation always demands attention from a lineup's construction, and Sacramento's staff will need to have their hitters prepared to adjust. Griffin's assignment here signals that Washington is treating this game with purpose, not as a throwaway road date.

Keys to Watch for the Athletics

• Early-count aggression at the plate. Against a pitcher the lineup hasn't seen frequently, getting into favorable counts early can take pressure off the middle innings and expose Griffin before his stuff settles in.
• Lopez's command in the first two innings. Starting pitchers set the tone. If Lopez can navigate the early order cleanly and avoid the big inning, Sacramento's bullpen depth becomes a real asset late in this one.
• Capitalizing at home. Sutter Health Park crowds have energy on Sunday afternoons. The Athletics need to feed off that and not let Washington steal the atmosphere early with a quick lead.
• Bullpen management. With the season past the midpoint, how the A's deploy their relievers in a game like this — protect a lead, hold a tie, or limit damage — will tell you a lot about where this roster stands right now.

Broadcast Information

Sunday's game can be seen locally on NBCSCA and streamed on Nationals.TV for Washington viewers. Radio coverage is available on Talk 650 KSTE and A's Cast in English, with Spanish-language coverage on KVMX 92.1/105.5. Washington radio listeners can tune into WJFK 106.7 The Fan.

Prediction

This is a game Sacramento should win at home. Lopez needs to give the A's length — five-plus innings of quality work keeps the bullpen fresh and gives the offense time to do damage against Griffin. The Athletics take this one, 4-2, with a strong middle-innings push doing the work. Sutter Health Park delivers a Sunday win.