LAS VEGAS -- So much of the Athletics' playoff aspirations this year hinges on their offense performing as one of the top units in baseball, which has not been the case for most of this season.
If the A’s do end up achieving that goal in 2026, we’ll likely look back at this week’s Las Vegas Series as the point at which the offense finally found its groove.
The slugging prowess of this A’s lineup was on full display throughout this special six-game homestand at Las Vegas Ballpark, including Sunday’s series finale against the Rockies with nine runs and 15 hits in a 23-9 loss.
A blowout defeat on getaway day to sink back under .500 (35-36) was not an ideal way to finish, but going 4-2 against the Brewers and Rockies this week is an overall success, especially given the way the bats were swinging it. Across these six games in Vegas, the A’s launched 20 homers and racked up 47 runs.
Several A’s hitters will return to West Sacramento for the start of a seven-game homestand Monday as hot as this week’s game-time temperatures, which eclipsed 100 degrees four times.
Pushed his MLB-leading and ongoing career-high hitting streak to 18 games on Sunday with a double. Over those 18 games, Gelof is batting .352 (25-for-71) with nine extra-base hits.
Homered and doubled Sunday to extend his on-base streak to 23 games. Hitting .354 (28-for-79) with seven home runs and 19 RBIs over that stretch.
Extended his on-base streak to 18 games with an RBI double Sunday and homered four times during this Vegas homestand to bring his total to 16 on the year.
Mix in the steady performance all season by Shea Langeliers, the uptick in production from Lawrence Butler this week and Jacob Wilson’s return from the injured list, there is a lot to be excited about with the trajectory of this offense.
“I know that the offense is gaining confidence,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “That’s one thing I think this ballpark can do. Offensively, it can bring some confidence to guys, which, we know you have to have confidence to be able to hit. … This may be a week that we get jump-started and move the needle forward.”
The downside to this supreme hitter-friendly environment was the toll it took on the A’s pitching staff, which combined to allow 55 runs during this Las Vegas homestand. Of these six games, the longest outing by an A’s starter was J.T. Ginn, who pitched 5 2/3 innings in Tuesday’s win over the Brewers.
On Friday, starter Jeffrey Springs lasted just four innings as he allowed eight runs (six earned) on seven hits.
“It’s just a tough environment,” Kotsay said. “There’s no other way to explain this. As a pitcher, you go out there and you compete. [Springs] competed. It’s not easy from a confidence standpoint when you’re on the mound and playing in these elements.”
One ugly loss will not undo what was an overall positive week for the A’s in their future home area. Off the field, several A’s players and alumni spent the week partaking in community events around the area and even toured the site of their new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip, which is set to open in time for the 2028 season.
“Vegas has been great,” Soderstrom said. “I enjoyed the week here. It’s been a lot of fun, on and off the field, getting out on the Strip to hang out and see what it has to offer. Playing here, the fans were great with a lot of energy.”
That buzz around town showed at Las Vegas Ballpark, where the A’s are expected to play another homestand in 2027. Each game was sold out, as fans showed up to support their future home team and had plenty to cheer about with the A’s offensive fireworks.
“The crowds have been great all homestand,” Kotsay said. “Having our Triple-A team here and connectivity to some of these guys on the roster helps that. Now, the fans can see them perform at the big league level. I’m sure they followed a lot of these guys through their Triple-A seasons and shared in that success with them.
“I’m sure the excitement about seeing their guy be a big part of the big league team gives them that joy of, ‘Hey, man, we’re really going to have a Major League team here down the road.’”