MLB analyst puts pressure on these two A’s pitchers to take the next step in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Athletics come into the 2026 season with some newfound hope. Fans were treated to a great offensive product in 2025, but the pitching staff is what held the team back.

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After being a top-ten team in terms of home runs, they were at the bottom of the list when it came to team ERA. Starters had a problem staying consistent, like Luis Severino.

He was two completely different pitchers when playing at home and somewhere else. But it wasn’t just the starters. The bullpen fell apart after the Mason Miller trade as well.

MORE: Why A’s superstar Nick Kurtz has the nickname ‘Big Amish’

MLB analyst puts pressure on these two A’s pitchers to take the next step in 2026

This season, offense should not be hard to come by yet again. The young studs combined with a few veterans should have no trouble pushing runs across the board.

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Where this team can fail is with the pitching staff. It was something they did not really address over the offseason, and Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter puts a ton of pressure on Jacob Lopez and Luis Morales to step up this season.

“With no needle-moving addition to the starting rotation this offseason, it will fall on Luis Morales and Jacob Lopez to take a step forward if the Athletics are going to field a serviceable rotation. Veteran Aaron Civale should soak up some innings at a league-average rate after signing a one-year, $6 million deal, but he’s more floor than ceiling.”

While the club did sign Aaron Civale, he will only work as a middle-of-the-road starter. So, it comes down to Lopez and Morales to pack a punch toward the end of the rotation that could look like this:

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1. Luis Severino
2. Jeffrey Springs
3. Aaron Civale
4. Jacob Lopez
5. Luis Morales

This may not be a jaw-dropping rotation, but if the two can step up, and Severino can get a bit more consistent at home, this group of arms could surprise plenty.

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