The A’s and Royals have split the first two games of this mid-week three-game set. Now we have a rubber match this afternoon that’ll determine who takes the series, and who heads into Friday on a losing note. And with a slim one-game lead in the division over the Mariners, the A’s could really use a win today.
Taking the ball for the series finale will be Jeffrey Springs. The lefty has been the A’s unquestioned best pitcher in the early going here in 2026 but is coming off a pair of tough outings that have seen him allow 11 runs in as many innings. Both he and the team will be hoping he can bounce back and look like the guy who had a 1.46 ERA before these two tough outings. In his career (6 appearances, two starts) the left-hander has a solid 3.07 ERA against this AL Central for.
Here’s how the A’s lineup looks against the Royals for the finale:
The team is predictably still without regular left fielder Tyler Soderstrom as he continues to recover from whiplash. And of course taking his spot in the field is last week’s Player of the Week Carlos Cortes, hitting in the fifth spot. He’s getting mighty comfy in his everyday role and deservedly so.
We got Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers atop the batting order followed by the big bopper in Nick Kurtz. Langeliers is in the DH spot today while Brent Rooker gets the day off. That means Colby Thomas draws the start in right field and Austin Wynns will be catching Springs this afternoon.
For the Royals, they’ll be relying on their own left-hander in Noah Cameron. The young starter burst onto the scene last year with a 2.99 ERA in his first 24 career starts, though his sophomore season has been a bit bumpier. He pitched twice against the A’s last year, going four innings and two-thirds innings and allowing three runs in his major league debut, then shutting down the A’s over five full frames his second time out.
And the KC lineup:
Gotta keep Witt from doing any damage this afternoon. If they can avoid giving up the big hit to Kansas City’s star player the A’s have an excellent chance today.
Let’s finish this series strong before we welcome Cleveland this weekend. Let’s go A’s!