Elephant Rumblings: The nightmare continues

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

Happy if you’re the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, anyway. The Halos completed a four game sweep in West Sacramento yesterday to bring the A’s current losing streak to nine games. The Angels came to town as the worst team in the AL West, but that mark of shame now belongs to the Athletics.

The A’s held leads at certain points in all four contests but couldn’t hang on to any of them. One big culprit: the bullpen. A’s relievers allowed seven runs in the ninth innings through this series and 14 total in the seventh inning or later.

Meanwhile, only Luis Severino logged a quality start against the Angels this week. It was just his second QS at home this season and probably his best, but an eight run bullpen meltdown left Sevy bereft of his first victory at Sutter Health Park.

The A’s scored 18 runs in the series; that isn’t too terrible, but it wasn’t enough and several opportunities to add on were frustratingly squandered: A’s batters went 7-for-43 with runners in scoring position and stranded 40. So much for slugging their way out of this mess.

If the A’s are to prevent this skid from going into double digits, they will need to beat the Phillies today—and guess who has the best record in the NL? You only get one try.

Two weeks ago the A’s looked like a potential postseason dark horse. Today, 2025 feels very much like another rebuild year and right now the team is barely on pace to improve on last year’s 69-93 record.

I have little comfort to offer, AN. But I can say that baseball has a way of continually surprising. Let’s hope for a big one this weekend—I hope yours is good regardless.

A’s Coverage:

• Late Meltdown Costs A’s in 10-5 Loss to Angels
• Jacob Wilson Returns to Lineup, A’s Make Roster Move
• A’s Still Searching For Key Hit to Break Out of Losing Streak

MLB News & Interest:

• Presenting the MLB All-Quarter Century Team, the very best in baseball since 2000 ($)
• 2025 MLB Draft top 100 prospects: Ethan Holliday, Liam Doyle top a class with depth ($)
• Huge paydays. Millions more in fines. 2 baseball agencies went to war, exposing a cutthroat industry ($)
• Red Sox Acquire Ryan Noda
• Braves Expected To Activate Ronald Acuna On Friday
• Can Kyle Schwarber Earn $100MM On His Next Contract?
• Mariners Activate George Kirby For Season Debut
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Roster moves.

Fresh meat for the grinder.