Summer Weather Influences Scheduling Decisions for the A’s
The pleasant weather this summer in the Sacramento region might lead the Athletics and Major League Baseball to reconsider their scheduling strategies ahead of the 2026 season. The A’s are considering increasing the number of day games, especially on getaway days, after limiting them in 2025 to avoid the region’s typically high temperatures.
“Going into this year, we didn’t know what to expect,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay before Wednesday’s 8-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in the final game of a three-game series played at night. “We base our decisions on the previous season and summer, which was extremely hot.”
To avoid playing in the heat, the A’s and MLB schedule makers arranged for the team to have a record-tying 60 night games this year, marking their first season in West Sacramento. The A’s scheduled only two day games in June, one in July, and three in August.
This decision was based on the extreme temperatures experienced last summer, particularly in July, which had the most 100-, 105-, and 110-degree days on record. This summer has been significantly cooler, with only a few 100-degree days in June and July combined.
Most schedules include afternoon starts for the final games of series, allowing teams more time for travel and recovery. The A’s had five series end in night games during June and July. Wednesday’s night game against the Rays came before a day off on Thursday and a series in San Francisco against the Giants starting on Friday. The A’s will also have a rare off day at home with no travel before hosting the Los Angeles Angels in a weekend series starting on Friday.
Temperatures this summer have been much milder compared to last year. Five of the team’s 60 home games had a first-pitch temperature of 90 degrees or higher, while 33 home games were at 80 degrees or higher. Wednesday’s game between the A’s and Rays started at a comfortable 81 degrees. The July 13 game against the Blue Jays, the final contest before the All-Star break, had a 1:05 p.m. first pitch with a game-time temperature of 85 degrees. That same day in 2024, the temperature reached 102 degrees. The average temperature at first pitch this year has been 78.6 degrees, according to the team’s communications department.
Despite the current mild temperatures, there are still 21 home games remaining, and it’s possible that next summer could return to the scorching conditions seen in 2024 if the A’s decide to play more day games at Sutter Health Park.
Emphasizing Family Time
Regardless of the weather, Kotsay argued that more day games would benefit player recovery and allow them to spend more time with their families. He mentioned that he will be taking an early morning flight to visit his family in San Diego rather than an evening flight after a day game to make it in time for dinner.
“For these guys, they go to bed late, they wake up midday tomorrow, which affects their recovery,” Kotsay said. “And then there’s the family time. You get the chance to have dinner tonight and tomorrow (during Thursday’s off day). Those are valuable times for the players. They mean a lot to their wives, kids, and families who don’t get the attention and time we can’t give them during the season.”
The schedule for next season is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, with start times to be finalized in January. Even if temperatures rise, Kotsay suggested the organization might want to push for more afternoon starts.
“You look at the weather patterns,” Kotsay said, “3 o’clock is probably the hottest time of day. But we’re going on this road trip, and we have a 12:10 game in Minnesota. We just played a 12:10 game in Washington. So those are doable game times, and I think the players might appreciate or like to make that change.”
Rays Win Series Finale
The A’s suffered a loss on Wednesday when starting pitcher J.T. Ginn allowed six runs in two innings. Four A’s relievers combined to throw six scoreless innings. Rays third baseman Junior Caminero hit a two-run homer off Elvis Alvarado in the ninth inning, and second baseman Brandon Lowe hit a two-run shot in the second.
The A’s had a quiet offensive night, highlighted by a solo home run from Lawrence Butler in the third inning and an RBI single from Gio Urshela in the fifth. Tampa Bay recorded 12 hits, while the A’s managed only four.
The A’s will host the Angels for a three-game series this weekend, with 7:05 p.m. start times on Friday and Saturday, followed by a 1:05 p.m. day game on Sunday.
