Starter's Burden: Jacob Lopez Reflects on a Rough Outing and the A's Bullpen Struggles
Starter's Burden: Jacob Lopez Reflects on a Rough Outing and the A's Bullpen Struggles
Athletics left-hander Jacob Lopez found himself in a familiar position on Thursday afternoon: battling through a tough lineup while fighting for consistency. Lopez, who has been a mainstay in the A's rotation for much of the 2026 season, took the mound against a potent Texas Rangers offense and faced significant challenges from the first pitch. While he managed to keep the game within reach during his four-inning stint, the overall outcome was a 9-6 loss that highlighted the precarious nature of the Athletics' current pitching situation.
Lopez struggled with his command throughout the outing, surrendering three runs on five hits and five walks. His inability to find the strike zone consistently forced him to work deep into counts, driving up his pitch count and forcing an early exit. In the postgame analysis, the lefty expressed frustration with his lack of efficiency, noting that when a starter fails to reach the fifth or sixth inning, it places an unsustainable burden on the bullpen. This theme proved prophetic, as the relief corps eventually surrendered four runs in the ninth to seal the defeat.
Statistically, 2026 has been a roller coaster for Lopez. While he showed promise in 2025 before an elbow injury sidelined him, his return this year has been marked by fluctuating velocity and high WHIP numbers. On Thursday, his four-seam fastball averaged 89.4 mph, a noticeable dip from his previous outings. This drop in speed allowed Texas hitters like Josh Jung and Ezequiel Duran to sit on his breaking stuff, resulting in several hard-hit balls that found the gaps at Sutter Health Park.
The mental toll of these "crushing collapses" is something Lopez and his teammates are actively working to address. The Athletics' clubhouse has remained resilient despite the losses, with veteran leaders encouraging the younger arms to stay the course. Lopez emphasized that while the box score looks grim, there were moments of execution that he can build on. The challenge remains the transition between the rotation and the bullpen, a phase of the game where the A's have been particularly vulnerable during this early-season stretch.
Looking forward, Lopez is scheduled to make his next start against the Houston Astros. He will need to rediscover the command that made him a bright spot in previous seasons if he wants to help the A's snap their recent skid. For now, the focus is on recovery and mechanical adjustments to ensure that his next appearance is a step toward stability rather than another short afternoon.
Pitcher Profile: Jacob Lopez
2026 Stats: 1-1 Record, 7.43 ERA, 2.18 WHIP (following recent starts).
Last Outing: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 5 BB vs. Texas Rangers.
Repertoire: Fourseam Fastball, Slider, Cutter, Sinker, Changeup.
