The Sacramento Athletics return to Sutter Health Park on Tuesday, August 25 to host the Minnesota Twins in a regular season showdown with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET. Left-hander Gage Jump gets the ball for Sacramento, squaring off against Taj Bradley, who makes the trip west for Minnesota. With both clubs squarely in the thick of a long regular season, this home date is exactly the kind of game the A's need to protect. Catch it on NBCSCA locally or tune into Talk 650 KSTE if you're driving in.

Pitching Matchup: Gage Jump vs. Taj Bradley

Gage Jump draws the start for Sacramento, and this is a chance for the young arm to assert himself in front of the Sutter Health Park faithful. Jump has shown flashes of legitimate upside, and a home start against a Twins lineup that can be navigated with quality stuff is a real opportunity. The assignment matters — the A's need innings and they need results.

Bradley comes in for Minnesota carrying his own set of expectations. He's a live-armed right-hander who can miss bats when his stuff is clicking. The Sacramento lineup will need to be patient early and look to work counts, because Bradley is capable of putting up zeros if hitters get themselves out. Don't let him cruise through the first two innings unscathed.

Sacramento Athletics Starting Lineup

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

Minnesota Twins Starting Lineup

• 1. Luke Keaschall — RF
• 2. Byron Buxton — CF
• 3. Ryan Jeffers — DH
• 4. Royce Lewis — 1B
• 5. Kody Clemens — LF
• 6. Kaelen Culpepper — SS
• 7. Brooks Lee — 3B
• 8. Victor Caratini — C
• 9. Ryan Kreidler — 2B

Keys to Watch

• Zack Gelof in the three hole: Gelof batting third is where this offense runs. If he's seeing the ball well early, the middle of the Sacramento order gets dangerous fast. Lawrence Butler following him at cleanup gives this lineup real teeth.
• Byron Buxton's presence: Minnesota's center fielder is a legitimate threat every time he steps in the box and covers ground in the outfield that most players can't reach. Henry Bolte and the Sacramento outfield will need to be on their toes when balls are hit his way.
• Royce Lewis batting cleanup: Lewis at first base and hitting fourth signals that the Twins are built to do damage in the middle innings. Jump has to navigate that part of the order carefully — don't give Lewis anything to punish.
• Jeff McNeil in the two spot: McNeil is a contact-first hitter who can set the table after Bolte gets on. If those two are clicking at the top of the order, Sacramento can put pressure on Bradley before he settles in.

Prediction

This is a winnable game at home. Sutter Health Park has a way of energizing this club, and a strong outing from Jump — six innings, three runs or fewer — gives the bullpen enough to work with. The Sacramento lineup has the pieces to score against Bradley if they stay disciplined. Edge to the A's in a 4-2 decision, but Minnesota's middle-of-the-order firepower means Jump cannot afford to leave pitches over the plate to Lewis and Jeffers. Expect a tight, competitive nine innings of regular season baseball.