A's Lose Season-Opening Series, Set to Face Braves

The A’s were swept by the Blue Jays in a 0‑3 series that highlighted the team’s pitching frailties. After a walk‑off loss on Friday when reliever Justin Sterner surrendered the winning run, the next day the bullpen blew a 4‑run lead that Langeliers had built with a grand slam. The A’s struck out a MLB record 50 times in the series, and even contact‑king Jacob Wilson has struggled, going 5‑for‑13 with five strikeouts. Offense, normally a strength, was stifled by Toronto’s rotation of Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease.

Now back on U.S. soil, the A’s face a three‑game series against the Atlanta Braves, who are also dealing with pitching uncertainty after starters Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach are on the IL. Left‑hander Jacob Lopez will make his first start of the season, and his return to form could ease questions about Oakland’s rotation.