A's hope familiarity in Sacramento boosts home record as Las Vegas move nears

The Athletics are looking to improve their home performance in their temporary Sacramento ballpark before their move to Las Vegas.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:56pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball field and players, with sharp planes of green, brown, and other muted colors, representing the Athletics' efforts to adapt to their temporary home stadium in Sacramento.A cubist interpretation of the Athletics' temporary home in Sacramento, as the team seeks to turn the unfamiliar ballpark into a strategic advantage.Las Vegas Today

The Oakland Athletics are hoping that increased familiarity with their temporary home ballpark in Sacramento will help them improve their home record this season, as they continue playing there while awaiting their move to a new stadium in Las Vegas. The team struggled at home last year, winning more games on the road than at their Triple-A level stadium in Sacramento. Players say the lack of uncertainty about the facilities and routines this season will be a major advantage.

Why it matters

The A's need to improve their home performance if they want to contend for a playoff spot while still playing in Sacramento for at least the next two seasons before their planned move to Las Vegas. Their struggles at the temporary Sacramento ballpark last year, including issues with pitching and batting, will need to be addressed.

The details

The Athletics were one of only three MLB teams that won more games on the road than at home last season, as they adjusted to the transition from a big league stadium to a minor league facility in Sacramento. Players say the lack of unknowns this year, with the team now familiar with the clubhouse, locker rooms, field, and daily routines, will be a major advantage. The team did see some progress at the plate last year, batting 14 points higher at home, but their pitching struggled with a 4.96 ERA in Sacramento compared to 4.42 on the road.

  • The Athletics are expected to play in Sacramento for at least the next two seasons before moving to Las Vegas.
  • The team struggled at home last season, their first year playing in the Sacramento ballpark.

The players

Lawrence Butler

An outfielder for the Athletics.

Brent Rooker

The designated hitter for the Athletics.

Jacob Wilson

The shortstop for the Athletics.

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What they’re saying

“When you go from a big league stadium to a minor league stadium that first year is going to be tough. You don't know what to expect — how the clubhouse is going to be, the locker rooms, the field. You have to get accustomed to it and get used to it. I feel like this year we're all used to it.”

— Lawrence Butler, Outfielder

“There's no unknowns this year. We know what the routine looks like, what the daily schedule looks like. We're very familiar with all of that now, so there's not going to be any surprises.”

— Brent Rooker, Designated Hitter

“We know what to expect now. Now we get to use the field in our favor because we know what it's like now.”

— Jacob Wilson, Shortstop

What’s next

The Athletics are expected to continue playing in Sacramento for at least the next two seasons before their planned move to a new stadium in Las Vegas.

The takeaway

The Athletics' struggles at their temporary home ballpark in Sacramento last season highlighted the challenges of transitioning from a major league stadium to a minor league facility. However, the team is confident that increased familiarity with the Sacramento park this year will allow them to turn it into a home-field advantage as they await their move to Las Vegas.