Deadspin | A's aim to leapfrog Angels in bid to move out of AL West cellar

[ad_1] Aug 26, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics supervisor Mark Kotsay (7) walks again to the dugout through the fifth inning towards the Detroit Tigers at Sutter Well being Park. Necessary Credit score: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Pictures The Athletics will attempt to full a three-game collection sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim, Calif., and within the course of transfer out of final place within the American League West.

"That is our purpose," A's supervisor Mark Kotsay stated. "Our purpose is clearly to enhance from final season. Clearly, we might prefer to be in a unique place than we're proper now, (and) to proceed to play good baseball."

The Athletics (66-77) enter the collection finale trailing fourth-place Los Angeles (66-76) by a half-game within the standings.

The A's have dominated the primary two video games of the collection, scoring 27 runs on 30 hits, together with six house runs, whereas holding Los Angeles to eight runs and 14 hits. Saturday night time's 17-4 victory matched a season excessive for runs in a sport and marked the third time within the final 5 video games that the Athletics have scored 10 or extra runs.

"This complete staff can hit," stated outfielder Colby Thomas, who went 2-for-5 with a house run, three RBIs and 4 runs. "All people can hit. You noticed the fellows tonight come off the bench and hit, and it is one thing we satisfaction ourselves in."

After back-to-back 100-loss seasons in 2022 and 2023, the A's went 69-93 to complete fourth within the divison final season, six video games forward of the last-place Angels.

With the win on Saturday, the Athletics improved to 24-15 of their final 39 video games.

"Each sport issues for this group, and each sport that we are able to exit and win builds confidence for going into subsequent season," Kotsay stated. "It is necessary for this group to discover ways to win.'

Proper-hander Luis Severino (6-11, 4.65 ERA), who's 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA in six profession begins towards Los Angeles, will begin the collection finale. He'll oppose rookie left-hander Mitch Farris (1-0, 1.80).

The 24-year-old Farris, a 14th-round draft choose of the Atlanta Braves in 2023, was acquired in a commerce for right-hander Davis Daniel in December. He pitched 5 robust innings in his main league debut on Tuesday at Kansas Metropolis, permitting one run on three hits with three strikeouts in a 5-1 victory.

"It was superior," Farris stated. "Simply attempting to get on the market with some confidence. 5 innings, one run. Far more than I might ask for."

The Angels, within the thick of the AL wild-card race on the commerce deadline in late July, fell eight video games out with 20 video games remaining following Saturday's loss. Los Angeles is simply 7-14 since Aug. 14 and desires a powerful end to keep away from its tenth straight dropping season.

"At totally different occasions through the 12 months, we have made some runs, put ourselves in a great spot, performed good baseball," interim Angels supervisor Ray Montgomery stated. "All people runs by means of these stretches, however when it occurs on the finish of the 12 months, it would not really feel nice. The main target for me now, for these final 20 video games, is to proceed to remain collectively as a gaggle."