The Sacramento Athletics enter Tuesday’s divisional showdown against the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners with a 12–13 record that doesn’t fully capture the progress they’ve made in the early stretch of the 2025 season, especially over their recent 7–3 run. After years of irrelevance and instability, the A’s—now rebranded and relocated to Sacramento—have found a new energy and identity led by a wave of young talent and a pitching staff that’s quietly stabilizing after a rocky start. The offense has been anchored by breakout performances from Tyler Soderstrom, who’s delivered consistent power and production in the heart of the order, and standout rookie Jacob Wilson, whose approach at the plate has added reliability at the top. The lineup is deeper than it’s been in recent years, with the addition of first baseman Nick Kurtz providing a left-handed threat that helps balance the batting order and create matchup issues for opposing bullpens. The A’s pitching, which had been a weakness in previous seasons, has made noticeable strides, with Luis Severino stepping up as the ace, allowing just six earned runs across his last four starts and consistently working deep into games. Jeffrey Springs has been effective when in the zone, and the emergence of rookie Gunnar Hoglund—who held the Marlins to one run in his major league debut—has injected even more optimism into Sacramento’s rotation depth.

Their bullpen has been a difference-maker in close games, led by hard-throwing closer Mason Miller and veteran reliever José Leclerc, who together have slammed the door in key late-game moments. Defensively, the team has tightened up significantly, cutting down on unforced errors and executing cleanly in the field, helping preserve leads and preventing big innings. From a betting perspective, the A’s have gone 11–7 against the spread in their most recent 18 contests, a signal that they’re not just winning more often but also outperforming betting expectations with regularity. Their success has come not only from improved talent but from an aggressive mindset—whether it’s stealing bases, stretching singles into doubles, or executing hit-and-runs, Sacramento has played with a confidence that’s caught opponents off guard. Facing a Seattle team that’s been red-hot, the A’s will need to strike early and capitalize on any scoring chances against a very tough Mariners rotation, because falling behind late likely spells trouble against a Seattle bullpen that rarely gives up leads. Sacramento will also need to stay disciplined at the plate, work deep counts, and avoid chasing pitches, especially against strike-throwers like Logan Gilbert or Luis Castillo. Tuesday presents an opportunity for the Athletics to move closer to .500 and make a loud statement that their recent success isn’t a fluke but the result of a revamped and reenergized roster poised to make noise in the division. With momentum, home-field advantage, and young stars gaining confidence by the day, Sacramento looks ready to test the Mariners and prove their early season rise is the beginning of something real.