Athletics vs Cincinnati Reds

Athletics at Cincinnati Reds (2026-08-05). Jacob Lopez vs Rhett Lowder at Great American Ball Park.

Starters — Jacob Lopez has a 5.79 ERA and 1.67 WHIP across 70 innings, with 7.84 K/9, 5.4 BB/9, and 1.54 HR/9. His last three starts were better than the full-season line: 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 8 K, 2 BB; 5 IP, 0 ER, 4 K, 4 BB; and 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 K, 2 BB. The recent trend is down, but the short-term form shows improved run prevention despite persistent walk risk. Rhett Lowder carries a 5.42 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 83 innings, with 7.59 K/9, 4.01 BB/9, and 1.08 HR/9. His last three starts were 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 K, 0 BB; 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 K, 2 BB; and 2.1 IP, 8 ER, 2 K, 0 BB. The trend is also down, though two steadier outings followed the blowup, and his lower home-run rate is a useful stabilizer in this park.

Teams — Oakland has a .720 OPS and 491 runs, which is slightly better than Cincinnati’s .707 OPS and 467 runs. The Athletics are hitting .245 as a team, but their pitching staff has struggled badly with a 5.42 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, and they enter on a 1-9 skid. Cincinnati is batting .230 as a team, yet its run prevention profile is clearly stronger, with a 4.43 team ERA and 1.41 WHIP. The Reds are also in better recent form at 6-4 over their last 10, which matters when comparing bullpen support and overall game-state reliability behind two volatile starters.