The Athletics have managed only one stretch of more than two consecutive wins this season, but they will look to secure a third straight victory when they take on the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday afternoon.
More players are beginning to contribute regularly for Oakland. Outfielder Zack Gelof stands out, carrying a seven-game hitting streak after delivering an RBI single in the fifth inning of Friday’s 4-3 win over Baltimore.
“For Zack, it’s about consistency and the quality of his at-bats—working counts, swinging at the right pitches, and staying in the zone,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. Gelof’s batting average has climbed to .273. “That’s the Zack we’re used to seeing.”
Oakland’s best stretch this season came last month when they won five straight games in New York—two against the Yankees and three against the Mets.
Now back on the East Coast, they appear poised for another strong run. They won the series finale in Philadelphia on Thursday and followed with a tight victory in Baltimore on Friday.
Right-hander Aaron Civale (3-1, 2.95 ERA) will start for the Athletics on Saturday. He has allowed just one run over 11 innings in his past two home starts against Kansas City and Cleveland.
Civale has surrendered more than three runs in only one of his seven starts this year. In five career starts against Baltimore, he holds a 2-1 record with a 5.81 ERA and nearly a strikeout per inning.
The Orioles will counter with right-hander Shane Baz (1-3, 4.99 ERA). Baz has pitched at least five innings in all seven starts but has allowed a home run in four of his last five outings. His five walks in Monday’s 12-1 loss to the Yankees were a concern.
Baz faced the Athletics twice last season while with Tampa Bay, pitching seven innings each time, recording one loss and allowing eight runs (seven earned). In his only other career meeting against Oakland, he shut them out over 7 2/3 innings in August 2024.
Baltimore’s bullpen was stretched thin for Friday’s series opener, but using only one reliever should leave the Orioles in better shape for the weekend.
“We essentially reset the bullpen,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “We didn’t have many arms available (Friday).”
The Orioles are monitoring infielder Blaze Alexander, who was scratched from Friday’s lineup due to calf tightness.
“He felt tightness during defensive work before the game, so he was a late scratch and unavailable,” Albernaz said. “But he received treatment throughout the game. It sounds like he should be fine for (Saturday).”
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson’s batting average has dropped back below .200 to .198 after going 0-for-3 with a walk.
“His track record speaks for itself—the talent is there,” Albernaz said. “He’s just one swing away. We talk with the hitting coaches about how his work is going, and we’re confident keeping him at the top of the order.”
