The Athletics hit the road to face the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, September 2 at Globe Life Field, with first pitch scheduled for 2:35 PM ET. Jacob Lopez gets the ball for Sacramento against Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford in what shapes up as a pitching-focused Wednesday afternoon affair. With the regular season in its final stretch, every road game carries real weight for the A's, and this one is no exception. Catch the action on NBCSCA or listen in on Talk 650 KSTE and A's Cast.
Probable Pitchers: Jacob Lopez vs. Cody Bradford
Jacob Lopez draws the assignment for the Athletics in this one. Lopez has worked his way into Sacramento's rotation, and this road start against a Texas lineup that plays in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the majors gives him a reasonable stage to work with. Globe Life Field's retractable roof and controlled environment can neutralize some offensive advantages, so Lopez will need to attack hitters early and keep the ball on the ground to give the A's bullpen a manageable workload late in the game.
On the other side, Cody Bradford takes the mound for the Rangers. Bradford is a crafty left-hander who relies on contact management and keeping hitters off-balance. The Athletics' lineup will need to be disciplined at the plate and resist chasing Bradford's offerings out of the zone if they want to generate consistent traffic on the bases.
Keys to Watch for the Athletics
- Plate discipline against Bradford: Bradford works to generate weak contact. The A's need patient at-bats and walks to put pressure on the Rangers defense.
- Lopez's command early: If Lopez can establish his fastball in the first two innings and keep Texas off the bases, the A's have a chance to steal a road win in a tough environment.
- Bullpen management: September rosters mean more available arms, and the A's coaching staff should not hesitate to go to fresh relievers if Lopez shows any early signs of struggle.
- Situational hitting: In low-scoring, pitcher-friendly environments like Globe Life Field, the team that executes with runners in scoring position tends to decide the game. The A's cannot afford to strand baserunners.
Prediction
This is a road game in a tough park against a Rangers team playing on home turf, and Bradford is a pitcher who keeps opposing offenses honest. That said, the Athletics are not making the trip to Arlington just to go through the motions. Lopez has the tools to keep this game close, and close games on the road are winnable games. Expect a tight, low-scoring contest that comes down to a handful of at-bats. Give a slight edge to the Rangers at home, but do not be surprised if the A's scratch out enough to earn a road split.
