As their disappointing seasons wind down, the Los Angeles Angels and the Athletics share the same goal: not reaching 100 losses.
One team will move closer to that unsatisfactory possibility when the Angels visit the A’s on Tuesday night to open a two-game set in West Sacramento, Calif.
The Angels (60-96) have never lost 100 games in their history and need to go at least 3-3 in the final week to avoid it. Los Angeles closes the season with a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners.
The Angels went a club-worst 63-99 in 2024, so four victories will keep them from joining that dubious club.
The Athletics (61-95) have dropped six consecutive games and need to go 2-4 this week to prevent their third 100-loss campaign in five seasons. The A’s finish the season with four home games against the Houston Astros.
The Athletics have been outscored 34-14 during their six-game slide. They lost 1-0 to the host Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, managing just six hits and striking out 13 times.
And the run allowed by right-hander Jack Perkins came on a freak play. Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez was on third with one out when Jo Adell hit a little tapper in front of the plate. Perkins didn’t have a play at the plate, and his throw to first hit Adell in the back.
The A’s argued that Adell should have been called out for runner’s interference. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay was ejected during the ensuing argument.
“It’s unfortunate,” Perkins told reporters, “because I felt like I made a great pitch, and it’s unfortunate that the one run that scored was on a ball that went three feet in front of the plate.”
All-Star Shea Langeliers went hitless in four at-bats Sunday and is 6-for-24 with four RBIs over seven games since returning from a knee injury. He is serving as the designated hitter and won’t catch again this season.
The Angels were routed 8-0 on Sunday by the visiting Minnesota Twins, with Los Angeles recording just two hits.
First-year manager Kurt Suzuki is aware the franchise has never lost 100 games but said the final week is about improved performance.
“We’re trying to get better every single day,” Suzuki said. “I don’t have to give them an inspirational speech, they know what they have to do. That being said, we’d like to finish off the season strong.”
Star center fielder Mike Trout has played in 137 games, his most since 140 in 2018.
That said, his production has been spotty with a batting average of .241 and a slugging percentage of .419. The 16-year veteran has 21 homers and 53 RBIs.
Los Angeles left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (1-6, 5.02 ERA) will make his 13th start of the season in the opener.
Kikuchi missed nearly four months because of a shoulder injury and is 1-3 with a 4.10 ERA in five starts since returning.
Kikuchi, 35, lost to the Mariners on Wednesday when he gave up five runs (four earned) and five hits over 4 1/3 innings.
Kikuchi is 3-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 14 career appearances against the A’s. Jonah Heim is 6-for-16 with five RBIs against the Japanese native.
Left-hander Brady Basso (1-3, 4.50) is making his seventh start and 25th appearance of the season for the Athletics.
Basso lasted just 2 2/3 innings during a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. He gave up four runs and seven hits.
Basso, 28, has made one career appearance against the Angels. He allowed one unearned run and three hits in one inning on Sept. 6, 2025.
The Athletics lead the season series, 6-5.
–Field Level Media
