The Sacramento Athletics close out their series at Rate Field on Sunday, July 12, taking on the Chicago White Sox at 2:10 PM ET in a matchup that carries real weight heading into the second half of the 2026 season. J.T. Ginn gets the ball for Sacramento against Chicago's Noah Schultz. Both clubs will be looking to finish the series on a high note, and with the calendar turning past the All-Star break window, every game from here on out starts to sharpen in significance. Catch the action on NBCSCA or listen live on Talk 650 KSTE.
Athletics vs. White Sox: Sunday Series Finale at Rate Field
Sacramento is away for this one, so there's no home crowd at Sutter Health Park to lean on. That puts the onus squarely on the pitching staff and the lineup to handle business in a ballpark that has not always been friendly to visiting clubs. Rate Field is a real test, and how the A's respond on the road says a lot about where this team is headed in the second half.
Probable Starters: J.T. Ginn vs. Noah Schultz
J.T. Ginn draws the Sunday start for the Athletics. The right-hander has been part of Sacramento's pitching plans this season, and this is a meaningful opportunity to build on whatever momentum he has heading into the back half of the year. Ginn has the stuff to keep a White Sox lineup honest, and his ability to work deep into games will be critical if Sacramento wants to keep the bullpen fresh.
On the other side, Chicago sends out left-hander Noah Schultz. Schultz is a young arm with legitimate upside, and the White Sox have been leaning on their younger pitchers to develop through real big-league reps this season. Sacramento's lineup will need to be disciplined and patient — jumping on early mistakes while not expanding the zone against a lefty who can miss bats.
Keys to Watch for the Athletics
- Ginn's command early: If he can get ahead in counts and keep the White Sox off the bases in the first few innings, Sacramento has a real shot to control the pace of this game.
- Handling the lefty: Schultz's presence on the mound means the Athletics' lineup construction and plate approach against left-handed pitching will be under the microscope. Discipline matters here.
- Road resilience: Without the Sutter Health Park faithful behind them, Sacramento needs to manufacture energy from within. Timely hitting and defense are what wins road series finales.
- Bullpen management: With a 2:10 PM first pitch, this is a day game that can get away from teams quickly. Mark Kotsay's staff needs to be ready to move early if Ginn hits a wall.
Prediction
This one figures to be a pitchers' duel through the middle innings with two younger arms working through a season that matters for their development. Ginn has the experience edge to navigate a White Sox lineup that has had its struggles this year. Sacramento is the pick here — call it 4-2, Athletics, in a game where the bullpen slams the door in the seventh and eighth. The A's take the series finale and head home to Sutter Health Park with some momentum.
