Nick Kurtz's 38-Game On-Base Streak and Nobody in the League Is Ready For It

Alright, Emerald City, listen up! You think you know what a hot streak looks like? Because Nick Kurtz is out here absolutely going OFF for the A's, and it's making everyone else in baseball look twice. This dude smashed a go-ahead, three-run blast last night in West Sacramento, putting them up 5-2 against the San Francisco Giants in the series opener, and honestly, it feels like this guy is just getting started.

Nick Kurtz Has Hit the Nitro Button

Seriously, forget that early season slump. Kurtz started homerless over the A's first 13 games and then endured another 15-game drought. But that's ancient history! He's flipped a switch and found his long-ball stroke. That Friday night bomb was his third straight game with a homer, and it marked his eighth of the season! The 23-year-old was looking for something early in the count, wanted to get it in the air, and absolutely roasted Tyler Mahle's first-pitch cutter over the wall in left-center. Dude knows how to get the job done. And get this, he's 5-for-10 in this three-game stretch against the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals. But the real kicker? He's reached base in 38 consecutive games. THIRTY-EIGHT! That's the longest for an Athletics player since Jason Giambi did 39 straight in both the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Kurtz, who was the fourth overall selection in the 2024 draft and the unanimous American League Rookie of the Year last season after going deep 36 times, said himself he's "feeling better in batting practice" and "things are starting to come together." He knows it's a "roller coaster of emotions" throughout the season, but right now, he's at the top of the ride.

Giants' Woes and Saturday's Showdown

While Kurtz is tearing it up, the Giants are reeling a bit. They went 5-1 against the A's last season, but this year's first clash didn't go their way. San Francisco left 10 men on base and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, dropping them to 8-15 on the road. Luis Arraez did have four hits, marking the 23rd time the three-time batting champion has done that, but even he admitted, "It's good for me but it's not good for the team. We want to win the game." Giants manager Tony Vitello, despite the loss, insisted his club played a solid game, saying, "As a coaching staff, you have to feel like if we played like we did (Friday), the law of percentages like that is we win the game. I thought the team played real well." Oh, and just to make things worse, Giants left fielder Heliot Ramos departed Friday's game with right quadriceps tightness and won't be available for Saturday's rematch. Tonight, right-hander Luis Severino (2-4, 4.07 ERA) takes the mound for the Athletics. The 32-year-old has allowed just five runs in a four-start span, but he lost his last two outings, including Sunday when he gave up two runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings. He's 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three starts at Sutter Health Park, and last year he was 2-9 with a 6.01 ERA in 15 home starts. Severino is 0-2 with a 3.47 ERA in four career starts against the Giants. He's regularly shut down Rafael Devers (3-for-24) and Matt Chapman (3-for-23), but struggled with Arraez (5-for-9) and Willy Adames (6-for-17, one homer). For the Giants, right-hander Trevor McDonald (1-0, 2.92 ERA) makes his third start of the season. The 25-year-old impressed beating the Padres on May 4, giving up just one run and two hits over seven innings. He allowed three runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Monday, and has never faced the A's. So, what happens tonight when the A's face the Giants again? Can Nick Kurtz keep this absolute rampage going, hitting a homer for the fourth straight game? Or will Trevor McDonald, making his third start, finally slow him down? And can the Giants, despite their manager's optimism, actually get some runs across the plate with men in scoring position? This is definitely one to watch, folks. You know we'll be here talking about it!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.