The Orioles made the most of their 10-game home stand over the past week, going 7-3 and giving fans hope they can turn it around this season. It has been a disappointing start to the 2026 season, but the team seems to have found its way recently and could be turning the corner to become a legit playoff contender. They have not been perfect lately, but it has been a significant improvement from how they had been playing. The lineup is getting hot and the starting pitching has improved, giving them a chance to win almost every game. They look like the team many fans were expecting at the beginning of the season, and luckily, they haven’t fallen too far out of contention.They are currently only one game out of a wild card spot, but are still 10 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, the best team in the American League East. It was the recent sweep of the Rays that signified the team is heading in the right direction. They closed out the weekend with a split series against the Toronto Blue Jays and are looking to carry this momentum into the next two series on the road, where they have struggled this year (9-17).Here are three keys for the recent success to continue over the next couple of weeks and for the rest of the season. Improved Starting PitchingThe biggest difference in the Orioles’ play has come from the starting pitching. They were the worst starting staff in the American League early in the season with a team earned run average well over 5.13. Since May 24, the Orioles rotation has the fourth-best ERA at 2.26, including six quality starts out of eight games. The biggest improvement has been from Kyle Bradish, who has been dominant lately. He was up and down for his first six starts with a 1-3 record and 4.20 ERA. That has all changed in his past six starts as he has a 2-3 record with a 2.80 ERA and has given the club some much-needed stability at the top of the rotation. The biggest surprise is from pitcher Brandon Young. He was a long shot to make the rotation during spring training, but after several injuries, he is being called upon to step up. He has answered the call with a 3.35 ERA in eight starts this season. The Orioles have won each of his last five starts, and he is starting to look like the Orioles’ 2024 top minor league pitcher.Lineup Out of HibernationThe strength of this team was supposed to be a heavy-hitting lineup that could outscore any opponent if needed. They have been an inconsistent offense all season, but have found some success lately and have seen an improvement in scoring. They have scored almost six runs (5.88) per game since May 24, a significant jump from the 4.4 runs they averaged during the first couple of months. Big names like Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso have improved at the plate, but the biggest story comes from a rookie in Samuel Basallo.The 21-year-old catcher has been the best player on the Orioles based on his Wins Over Replacement Players Rating (WAR) of 1.6. He struggled early in the season to find his swing, but in the month of May was one of the best hitters in all of baseball. He batted .338 with four home runs and 16 runs batted in, leading the team in all three. Stay Off the Injured ListThe Orioles have dominated the MLB Injured List this season with seven players on the 60-day IL, including Jordan Westburg, who will miss the rest of the season with Tommy John surgery. The starting rotation has taken the most lumps after losing Zach Eflin to elbow surgery and Dean Kremer just being placed on the 60-day IL with his strained quad. They have gotten some reinforcement from the IL lately, and how several key players return from injury will be a major factor for the rest of the season. Second baseman Jackson Holliday made his return on May 19 and has been solid in his return, batting .242 and a pair of home runs in 12 games. They will get outfielder Dylan Beavers as well as he recovers from a strained oblique muscle, and they activated Heston Kjerstad from the IL, as he could be an option in the outfield as well. The bullpen will welcome the return of closer Ryan Helsley, but that could still be a couple of weeks away as he will be reevaluated after the upcoming six-game road trip. The bullpen has had a rough month of May and will need help sooner rather than later.
BALTIMORE —
The Orioles made the most of their 10-game home stand over the past week, going 7-3 and giving fans hope they can turn it around this season.
It has been a disappointing start to the 2026 season, but the team seems to have found its way recently and could be turning the corner to become a legit playoff contender. They have not been perfect lately, but it has been a significant improvement from how they had been playing.
The lineup is getting hot and the starting pitching has improved, giving them a chance to win almost every game. They look like the team many fans were expecting at the beginning of the season, and luckily, they haven’t fallen too far out of contention.
They are currently only one game out of a wild card spot, but are still 10 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, the best team in the American League East. It was the recent sweep of the Rays that signified the team is heading in the right direction. They closed out the weekend with a split series against the Toronto Blue Jays and are looking to carry this momentum into the next two series on the road, where they have struggled this year (9-17).
Here are three keys for the recent success to continue over the next couple of weeks and for the rest of the season.
Improved Starting Pitching
The biggest difference in the Orioles’ play has come from the starting pitching. They were the worst starting staff in the American League early in the season with a team earned run average well over 5.13. Since May 24, the Orioles rotation has the fourth-best ERA at 2.26, including six quality starts out of eight games.
The biggest improvement has been from Kyle Bradish, who has been dominant lately. He was up and down for his first six starts with a 1-3 record and 4.20 ERA. That has all changed in his past six starts as he has a 2-3 record with a 2.80 ERA and has given the club some much-needed stability at the top of the rotation.
The biggest surprise is from pitcher Brandon Young. He was a long shot to make the rotation during spring training, but after several injuries, he is being called upon to step up. He has answered the call with a 3.35 ERA in eight starts this season. The Orioles have won each of his last five starts, and he is starting to look like the Orioles’ 2024 top minor league pitcher.
Lineup Out of Hibernation
The strength of this team was supposed to be a heavy-hitting lineup that could outscore any opponent if needed. They have been an inconsistent offense all season, but have found some success lately and have seen an improvement in scoring.
They have scored almost six runs (5.88) per game since May 24, a significant jump from the 4.4 runs they averaged during the first couple of months. Big names like Gunnar Henderson and Pete Alonso have improved at the plate, but the biggest story comes from a rookie in Samuel Basallo.
The 21-year-old catcher has been the best player on the Orioles based on his Wins Over Replacement Players Rating (WAR) of 1.6. He struggled early in the season to find his swing, but in the month of May was one of the best hitters in all of baseball. He batted .338 with four home runs and 16 runs batted in, leading the team in all three.
Stay Off the Injured List
The Orioles have dominated the MLB Injured List this season with seven players on the 60-day IL, including Jordan Westburg, who will miss the rest of the season with Tommy John surgery. The starting rotation has taken the most lumps after losing Zach Eflin to elbow surgery and Dean Kremer just being placed on the 60-day IL with his strained quad.
They have gotten some reinforcement from the IL lately, and how several key players return from injury will be a major factor for the rest of the season. Second baseman Jackson Holliday made his return on May 19 and has been solid in his return, batting .242 and a pair of home runs in 12 games. They will get outfielder Dylan Beavers as well as he recovers from a strained oblique muscle, and they activated Heston Kjerstad from the IL, as he could be an option in the outfield as well.
The bullpen will welcome the return of closer Ryan Helsley, but that could still be a couple of weeks away as he will be reevaluated after the upcoming six-game road trip. The bullpen has had a rough month of May and will need help sooner rather than later.
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