STATE OF THE A'S: What Went Wrong for the A’s in 2026?

The A’s 2026 season continues to unravel, and Sunday’s 8-5 loss to the Orioles in Sacramento was a fitting gut punch. The A’s jumped out to a 5-1 lead, getting a two-run double from Lawrence Butler, an RBI double from Jeff McNeil and a two-run homer from Jacob Wilson—but Baltimore slowly turned the game around before taking control. The Orioles tied it with a three-run fourth, then Gunnar Henderson delivered the knockout blow with a three-run homer in the fifth. Henderson added a triple in the eighth as the Orioles completed the sweep. We break down how the A’s let another winnable game—and another series—slip through their fingers. But this episode is about much more than one ugly loss. We take a hard look at the 2026 season as a whole, examine where the A’s went wrong, and ask the uncomfortable questions about what this organization actually has moving forward. Joining us is special guest Sam, host of Where Stats Meet Instincts, who brings a unique perspective shaped by his own experiences as a former college baseball player and coach. Sam explains how those experiences influence the way he evaluates players, development, and the farm system—and what the A’s need to do differently if they want their next wave of talent to actually become the foundation of a winning team.