Luis Severino, pitcher for the Athletics, expressed strong dissatisfaction with Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, where the team is playing for the 2025 season. Severino described pitching at the minor-league stadium as feeling like a spring training game rather than a major league contest, highlighting the unusual conditions players face at their temporary home.
“It feels like a spring training kind of game every time I pitch, and every time other guys pitch,”
Severino said on Friday, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. He added,
“It’s the same mentality we have, to go out there and try to do our best. But it’s not been great for us.”
Challenges Impacting Performance at Home Stadium
Severino joined the Athletics in December 2024 on a three-year, $67 million contract, marking the largest financial commitment in the franchise’s history. Despite high expectations, his performance at home has fallen short. Severino is struggling with a 2-8 record and a 4.83 ERA across 17 starts this season, but the disparity between home and away games is notable.
He has a 6.79 ERA and a 1.596 WHIP in ten starts at the Sacramento stadium, compared to a much stronger 2.27 ERA and 1.031 WHIP in seven road games. Severino attributed this gap partly to the difference in stadium quality and atmosphere.
“Because we play in a big-league stadium on the road,”
he stated,
“we don’t have that at home right now. It’s not the same. It’s not the same atmosphere. We don’t have a lot of fans. Our clubhouse is in left field. So, when we play day games, we have to just be in the sun. There’s no air conditioning there, too. It’s really tough.”
A’s Temporary Stay in Sacramento Amid Stadium Transition
The Athletics plan to relocate to Las Vegas for the 2028 season but are currently using Sutter Health Park as a temporary home while their new stadium is being constructed. This ballpark, originally designed for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, has a seating capacity of just 14,014, significantly smaller than most major league stadiums.
For comparison, the Cleveland Guardians’ Progressive Field, which is the lowest-capacity full-time MLB ballpark, can accommodate 34,830 fans. The limited seating and minor-league atmosphere at Sutter Health Park contribute to the less-than-ideal playing environment Severino and his teammates have faced.
Impact of Playing Conditions on Team Morale and Future Outlook
These challenging conditions have led to a difficult start for Severino and the Athletics, who have struggled to create a strong home-field advantage. The combination of a smaller fan base, inadequate facilities, and discomfort due to the clubhouse location and lack of air conditioning during day games has affected player performance and morale.
As the Athletics await their move to Las Vegas and a modern stadium, Severino’s criticism sheds light on the frustrations athletes can experience when major league teams must temporarily play in less suitable venues. The team’s ability to adapt will be tested for the remainder of the 2025 season while navigating these limitations.