The Athletics need someone, anyone, to step up to round out the series. After losing four straight to the Royals and after getting shut out by the Astros on Friday, the Athletics are simply not in a good spot. But this was obvious. But less obvious is who the Athletics will need to step up the most to finish the series. Here are a few very solid contenders. Zack Gelof | OF/3BAug 17, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Athletics left fielder Zack Gelof (20) singles in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectWith the Athletics now having four top players out with injuries (Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, Nick Kurtz, and Shea Langeliers), the Athletics now turn to their fifth-most-dangerous bat in the lineup, Zack Gelof. Since returning from his injury, he is batting .220 with a 0.782 OPS, along with seven RBIs and three home runs. However, in his last four games, he is batting just .143 with only one hit in his last 14 at-bats. This sharp decline in production will simply prevent the Athletics from remaining competitive. With guys like Jeff McNeil and Henry Bolte carrying the load, a third member, Gelof, needs to get in sync.Brady Basso | RHPJul 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Athletics pitcher Brady Basso against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectIn the month of August, Brady Basso has pitched 9.0 innings while allowing just six hits and a single run. This stretch has allowed Basso to separate himself from what has been a very poor Athletics bullpen. There is little doubt that Basso will play a role in the Athletics finding any success throughout this series. If Mark Kotsay elects Basso to open Game 3 for Jack Perkins, this could give the Athletics the inside route to taking the series finale. Against the Royals, Basso would pitch 2.2 innings while allowing only two hits. However, this could remove the team's best current reliever, meaning they will need to fall back on subpar options late in both Games 2 and 3. A tough dilemma to wrestle with. Jacob Lopez | SPAthletics pitcher Jacob Lopez (57) walks off the mound after the second inning of the MLB Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Athletics at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026 The game was tied 1-1 after three innings. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectSince the break, Jacob Lopez has been automatic, posting a great 2.48 ERA as well as a very good 1.10 WHIP to go along with it. Just a few weeks ago vs. the Rays, Lopez would complete the seventh inning while only allowing two runs. Because of this, the Athletics would theoretically have to use fewer pitchers to close the game. In reality, this did not happen, as the bullpen would give up eight runs in the next inning.If Lopez can replicate that success on Saturday, the Athletics will be in a very solid spot for Game 3. As mentioned earlier, the Athletics could opt to use Basso as an opener, who is a very significant arm to use early in the game. If Lopez can last, we could see Luis Medina, Elvis Alvarado, and Hogan Harris in Game 3, which would remove any drawbacks of using Basso.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow