The Sacramento Athletics return to Sutter Health Park on Monday, September 7, 2026, hosting the Toronto Blue Jays in a 10:05 PM ET first pitch. Jacob Lopez gets the ball for the A's against Toronto's Dylan Cease in what shapes up as a genuine pitching showcase. With September baseball in full swing, every game in this stretch carries weight in the standings, and this one gives Sacramento a chance to make a statement in front of the home crowd.
Pitching Matchup: Jacob Lopez vs. Dylan Cease
Dylan Cease is the headliner on the visiting side. The right-hander has built a reputation as one of the more swing-and-miss starters in the American League, leaning heavily on a sharp slider to keep lineups off-balance. Facing Cease at any point in the season is a legitimate challenge, and the Athletics' lineup will need to stay disciplined at the plate, work counts, and make him throw strikes rather than expanding outside the zone chasing that breaking ball.
On the home side, Jacob Lopez draws the start for Sacramento. Lopez will need to execute his game plan with precision against a Toronto offense that carries capable bats throughout its lineup. His ability to work efficiently in the early innings and keep the Blue Jays' middle-of-the-order hitters from doing damage will set the tone for whether the A's bullpen faces a comfortable situation or a grinding deficit.
Keys to Watch for the Sacramento Athletics
- Plate discipline against Cease: Cease generates whiffs and can run up strikeout totals quickly. The A's need patient at-bats and base runners to put pressure on Toronto's defense.
- Lopez's command early: Getting ahead in counts and avoiding the big inning is essential. If Lopez can navigate the first three innings cleanly, Sacramento's bullpen depth becomes an asset.
- Home crowd energy at Sutter Health Park: A late Monday night start in Sacramento has its own atmosphere. The fans who show up for a 10:05 PM first pitch are diehards, and that energy can be a genuine factor in a close game.
- Bullpen management: September rosters are expanded, giving both managers options. How each side deploys relief arms after the starter exits could determine the outcome more than the starting pitching itself.
Broadcast Information
The game airs locally on NBCSCA with radio coverage on Talk 650 KSTE and the A's Cast. Spanish-language radio coverage is available on KVMX 92.1/105.5. Toronto viewers can catch the broadcast on Sportsnet and SN590 THE FAN.
Prediction
Cease is a tough draw — there is no sugarcoating that. But Sacramento is at home, and the A's have shown throughout this regular season that they can compete against quality arms when the lineup stays disciplined. This one likely comes down to whether Lopez can keep it close long enough for the offense to solve Cease in the middle innings. Expect a low-scoring, tightly contested game. Slight edge to Toronto based on Cease's track record, but Sacramento has enough at home to steal this one. A's 3, Blue Jays 2.
