The Sacramento Athletics welcome the Baltimore Orioles to Sutter Health Park on Friday, August 28, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET. Baltimore sends right-hander Brandon Young to the mound in what shapes up as a compelling late-August regular season matchup. The Athletics' starter has yet to be announced, adding a layer of intrigue to the pitching side of this one. Catch the action on NBCSCA or locally on Talk 650 KSTE and A's Cast.

Baltimore Orioles Starting Pitcher: Brandon Young

The Orioles are rolling with Brandon Young on the road. Specific ERA and win-loss figures for Young are not available heading into this start, so the Athletics' lineup will need to do its homework and react in real time to what Young brings to the bump. What we do know is Young is making the trip to Sacramento, and the A's home crowd at Sutter Health Park will be watching closely from the first pitch.

Athletics Starting Lineup for Friday Night

Manager has set a lineup that puts speed and athleticism at the top and thump in the middle. Here is how the Athletics are lined up:

• 1. Henry Bolte — CF
• 2. Jeff McNeil — 2B
• 3. Zack Gelof — 3B
• 4. Lawrence Butler — RF
• 5. Tommy White — 1B
• 6. Max Muncy — DH
• 7. Carlos Cortes — LF
• 8. Jonah Heim — C
• 9. Alika Williams — SS

Henry Bolte leading off in center sets an aggressive tone. Jeff McNeil at second provides contact ability in the two-hole. Zack Gelof at third and Lawrence Butler in right give the heart of the order legitimate middle-of-the-diamond production. Tommy White at first base slots in fifth, with Max Muncy handling designated hitter duties at six. The bottom third of Carlos Cortes, Jonah Heim, and Alika Williams gives the Athletics depth that keeps pressure on opposing pitchers deep into counts.

Keys to Watch in This Matchup

• Identify Young early: Without publicly available ERA or pitch tendency data on Young, the Athletics' lineup will need to work counts in the first two innings to get a read on his stuff. Patient at-bats from McNeil and Gelof will be critical.
• Butler and White deliver protection: Lawrence Butler batting fourth and Tommy White fifth creates a back-to-back threat that makes it difficult for Baltimore to pitch around one bat without facing the other.
• Sacramento's unnamed starter: The Athletics have not confirmed their pitcher for this game. Whoever takes the ball must establish the strike zone early against an Orioles lineup accustomed to competing in the American League East.
• Sutter Health Park atmosphere: A Friday night home game is one of the loudest environments the A's get all season. The crowd can be a genuine factor in a tight game.

Prediction

Without confirmed data on either team's current record or standing, it is impossible to assign this game playoff urgency — but late August means every game in the regular season schedule carries real weight. The Athletics' lineup, top to bottom, looks capable of putting up crooked numbers. If Sacramento's mystery starter can give them five solid innings and the bullpen holds, the A's should be in a position to take this one at home. The edge goes to Sacramento, 5-3, on the strength of the home crowd and a balanced lineup that can hurt you in multiple ways.