WEST SACRAMENTO – The Athletics entered 2026 hopeful that this final series against the Astros to end the regular season would have major playoff implications.
Everything is certainly on the line for the Astros, who came into Thursday’s series opener tied with the Rangers for first place in the AL West. For the A’s, their goal of contending for the postseason did not come to fruition, but the chance to knock out a division rival does bring some value.
That extra intensity was felt throughout Thursday’s 7-5 A’s loss to Houston at Sutter Health Park. The A’s overcame an early three-run deficit with four runs in the third on back-to-back homers by Jeff McNeil and Zack Gelof. Ultimately, an unlikely source did them in: Astros rookie Lucas Spence launched the first three home runs of his career in a five-RBI night.
“They’re playing for their lives right now,” Gelof said of the Astros. “We’re trying to do our best to play really good baseball and not have [them make the playoffs].”
Let’s take a look at three key A’s players from Thursday’s defeat and their outlook for next season:
Barnett picked a good time to have a career night. In his final start of ’26, the right-hander threw a career-high six innings and matched a career high with eight strikeouts, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks.
A former top prospect, Barnett has seen it all this year. He’s had five stints in the big leagues and has pitched in every role from starting to closing and everything in between. It hasn’t always been pretty, as he finishes his year with a 7.02 ERA in 20 games (six starts) with the A’s this season, but the 25-year-old left a good impression heading into the offseason.
“He finished the season excellently,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “He took the ball tonight and had a great presence on the mound. … He should feel good about that going into the offseason, continuing to work on things and improve.”
It’s unclear what type of role awaits Barnett in 2027. Whether starting or relieving, he’ll likely have to fight to earn that job in Spring Training. One thing he learned about himself this year, though, is that he is versatile enough to perform whatever is asked of him.
“The biggest thing for me was, I know I can compete up here,” Barnett said. “I know I’m good enough. It’s just about consistency. These big league hitters are the best in the world, so I have to get more consistent. But I know I’m capable.”
McNeil continued his strong finish to the season Wednesday by getting the A’s on the board with his three-run blast in the third as part of a two-hit night.
As he struggled heading into the All-Star break, it felt almost like a foregone conclusion that the A’s would not pick up his $15.75 million club option for next season and instead exercise his $2 million buyout, which would actually be paid by his former team, the Mets, as part of an agreement between the clubs when McNeil was traded in December.
Now, it’s fair to wonder if the A’s might look to bring McNeil back. In 56 games since the All-Star break, the 34-year-old veteran is hitting .320 (65-for-203) with six homers and 33 RBIs. He’s also provided solid defense at first base in the absence of Nick Kurtz, providing value as a true utility man.
“Jeff’s done a nice job finishing his season,” Kotsay said. “He’s putting himself in a position to have some decisions to make in the offseason, which is great. The middle of the season for Jeff was a grind. The last two and a half months, he’s really been a part of this club’s wins and success.”
Gelof’s outlook is clear. He’s firmly part of this team’s future, and he showed why Wednesday by bashing two homers to bring his total to 22 on the season, now just one shy of Shea Langeliers’ team-leading 23.
“To start in Triple-A this year coming off shoulder surgery and end up where I’m at now, it feels really good,” Gelof said. “I just want to be part of this team. … Just trying to prove to myself and the team that I can be in the lineup every day and help us win.”