The Los Angeles Angels wrap up a regular season road trip on Wednesday, September 23, heading to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento to face the Athletics at 9:40 PM ET. Walbert Ureña gets the ball for the Halos against Athletics left-hander Jeffrey Springs in a late-season matchup that carries real weight for both clubs as the 2026 campaign winds toward its final days. Catch the action on ABTV, presented by Pechanga Resort Casino, or listen locally on KLAA 830.
Starting Pitchers: Walbert Ureña vs. Jeffrey Springs
Ureña draws the start for Los Angeles in what is shaping up to be a meaningful late-September assignment. The young right-hander has been part of the Angels' pitching mix this season, and a strong outing here would be a statement going into the final stretch of the regular season. For the Angels, getting length and quality innings from Ureña is the baseline ask — keep the offense in the game and limit the damage against an Athletics lineup that plays with energy at home.
On the other side, Jeffrey Springs is a pitcher who relies on command and pitch mix to keep hitters off-balance. Springs has the experience to work through an Angels lineup and can be effective when he is locating his off-speed pitches. The Angels will need to be disciplined at the plate and make him work deep into counts rather than chasing early.
Keys to Watch for the Angels
- Ureña's command: If Ureña can throw strikes consistently and avoid walks, he gives the Angels a chance to stay in this game deep into the middle innings. Free passes against an athletic A's lineup tend to snowball quickly.
- Plate discipline against Springs: Springs is at his best when hitters make early contact. The Angels' lineup needs to work pitch counts and look for mistakes in hitter-friendly counts.
- Bullpen management: With the roster in late-season mode, how the Angels manage their relief arms behind Ureña will be critical. Getting the right matchups out of the 'pen in the sixth and seventh innings could determine the outcome.
- Situational hitting: Running up pitch counts and capitalizing on runners in scoring position has to be the approach. One-run baseball in September matters — every game in the standings counts.
Game Prediction
This is a competitive matchup on paper, and Sutter Health Park will have its share of late-season energy. Ureña has the tools to keep the Angels competitive, but the key variable is whether he can replicate his best command against a scrappy Athletics club playing at home. Springs is experienced enough to make this a low-scoring affair if the Angels' lineup is passive.
The Angels have enough in the lineup to put runs on the board, and if the bullpen holds, this game is winnable. Expect a close, grinding contest that comes down to the final few innings. Look for the Angels to scratch out a narrow victory, 4-3, behind a solid middle-innings performance and timely hitting in the sixth or seventh. Wednesday night baseball in Sacramento — buckle up.
