The Los Angeles Angels wrap up a regular season road trip with a Tuesday night matchup against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET. Yusei Kikuchi gets the ball for the Halos against Athletics left-hander Brady Basso. With the regular season winding down and September roster spots in play, every start carries real stakes for both clubs. Catch the action on ABTV presented by Pechanga Resort Casino or listen on KLAA 830 in English and KVMX 92.1/105.5 in Spanish.

Angels at Athletics Game Preview: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Starting Pitchers

Yusei Kikuchi draws the start for Los Angeles. Kikuchi has been one of the more reliable arms in the Angels rotation this season, a veteran left-hander with the kind of stuff — a dynamic fastball-slider combination — that can keep a lineup off balance when he is locating. The matchup puts him against Brady Basso, a left-handed option for Oakland who has worked his way into the Athletics rotation. Basso is a name to watch as the A's continue developing their pitching depth in Sacramento.

Oakland Athletics Lineup

The Athletics are rolling out a lineup built around some legitimate young talent. Lawrence Butler slots into the three-hole in right field, and Zack Gelof hits cleanup at third base — two players who represent the core of Oakland's rebuild. Shea Langeliers bats second as the designated hitter, bringing pop from behind the plate. Leadoff man Henry Bolte gets things started in left field, while Tommy White handles first base and bats fifth. The back half of the order includes Joshua Kuroda-Grauer at second base, Jonah Heim behind the dish, Alika Williams at shortstop, and Denzel Clarke closing things out in center.

Keys to Watch

• Kikuchi's command early: Kikuchi is at his best when he establishes his fastball and keeps hitters guessing with his offspeed mix. Getting through the Oakland order efficiently in the first two turns will set the tone for the Angels.
• Handling the A's young core: Butler and Gelof are legitimate threats in the middle of the order. How the Angels pitching staff navigates those two at-bats will go a long way toward determining the outcome.
• Angels offense against Basso: Basso is a left-handed starter, so the Angels' ability to work counts and get on base early will be critical. September call-ups and lineup flexibility give the Halos options against a southpaw.
• Bullpen management: Late September means both clubs are managing workloads. How each manager deploys his relievers — particularly if a starter exits early — could decide the game.

Prediction

Kikuchi is a veteran who knows how to navigate a lineup, and Sutter Health Park, while a fresh venue for the Athletics, is still a launching pad by design. Give the edge to the Angels here on the strength of Kikuchi's experience against a young Oakland rotation. Los Angeles wins a close one, 4-2.