SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics hits a double that scored a run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park on August 10, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesOkay, last night was tough to swallow. You dont expect to blow a 6-2 lead with just a few outs to go, but thats just how this season has gone for the As. A bit fitting in a way. Starting strong, before fading late. Hopefully that doesnt follow this club into next year as well.The series continues tonight and the As have a chance to make things right with a win this evening. At-72 the As are only better than one other team in the American League: the Los Angeles Angels. The playoffs arent happening but the goal the rest of the season should be to finish above them. Who knows. Maybe the Mariners collapse and third place is a possibility in September.Taking the ball for the home team will be youngster Mason Barnett. The right-hander is making his third start since seemingly rejoining the rotation. He had a terrific first start against the Red Sox last week but got tagged for five runs his last time out against the Reds. Most of the damage from those two teams came later in the game so keep an eye on how Barnett is faring after the first time or two through the Rays batting order.Heres how the Athletics lineup stacks up tonight for the middle contest against our AL East foe:As lineup vs. Rays (RH Nick Martinez) pic.twitter.com/mgknDMrQEw Martn Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) August 11, 2026Jeff McNeil is back atop the lineup for the second straight day. No Soderstrom in the starting nine as he gets a full day off, with Zack Gelof taking his place in left field and batting second. Shortstop Jacob Wilson is back in the three hole followed again by Carlos Cortes, who will be the DH this evening after handling the outfield last night.The back half of the lineup is also fairly similar to last nights except infielder Tommy White returns to the lineup and playing third base this evening. The highly-rated prospect has encountered his first slump at the plate in his big league career, with just four hits in his last 27 at bats. Mark Kotsay gave him a day off yesterday and now hes batting ninth so hopefully an extra day of rest and hitting in a low-pressure spot in the lineup can help spark him in the batters box. Well be seeing plenty more of White with Nick Kurtzs injury.Tampa Bay meanwhile has Nick Martinez getting the start for them this evening. An offseason acquisition for Tampa, Martinez has been an absolute steal for the Rays. In 22 starts the 26-year-old has a career-best 2.65 ERA, good for fourth in the American League. Signed to a one-year contract, Martinez is likely to get some down-ballot Cy Young votes thanks to his work with the Rays and is looking at a fairly sizable contract this coming winter. Possible As target if the wallets open up?And Tampas lineup:Rays 8/11Y. Daz DHJ. Aranda 1BJ. Caminero 3BL. Hicks CC. Simpson LFV. Mesa Jr. RFC. Mullins CFR. Palacios 2BT. Walls SSN. Martinez SP Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) August 11, 2026The same top of the order but a much different looking backend of the lineup. Hopefully that throws of their good juju from last night.Lets get back to our winning ways and play some spoiler. Lets go As!Follow the Game:Watch:Athletics NBCSCAListen:Athletics Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, As Cast