Trailing 7-1 in the 6th inning last night vs. Arizona, the Orioles rallied for 9-7 victory over the Diamondbacks. With the win, the O’s improved to 9-7 overall.
The Orioles have won their last 3 games, and 5 of 6 overall. They are now tied with the New York Yankees at the top of the AL East, a half game ahead of Tampa Bay.
With 16 games in the books, 10% of the 162 game regular season has already been played.
Some thoughts here on what we’ve seen, and what comes next.
Depth Is Performing
Zach Eflin lasted 3.2 innings before requiring season ending surgery. We haven’t seen Keegan Akin, Andrew Kittredge, or Colin Selby throw a pitch. Nor Jordan Westburg, or Jackson Holliday take a Major League swing. There have been other recent injuries to Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle, Tyler O’Neill, Yaramil Hiradlo, and Dietrich Enns; and still the O’s are 9-7. That only happens with quality depth. Cade Povich, Brandon Young, and Albert Suarez have stepped up and helped the staff in their opportunities. Blaze Alexander, Jeremiah Jackson, and Leody Taveras have quickly become important pieces. Sam Basallo was going to get ab’s before Rutschman’s injury, but having a player with his capabilities available for everyday ab’s at C is a luxury other teams wouldn’t have if they lost their starting C. Having Dean Kremer able to step back into the rotation is another win.
The Bullpen Is Steadying
Tyler Wells has been strong in recent outings. Rico Garcia has already made 8 outings, and has yet to allow a run. Anthony Nunez continues to impress (10 k’s, with just 4 hits allowed in 7.2 innings of work). Grant Wolfram has 10 k’s in 6 innings. Suarez and Yennier Cano are quality power arms. All leading to Ryan Helsley who has put up 5 saves already, and whose fastball is in the 96th percentile across the game. I still think the ‘pen is probably an arm short, and that it’s likely a high leverage reliever will be a priority at the trade deadline, but I’m certainly feeling better about this existing group right now. Kittredge, and Akin can help as well.
Chris Bassitt… What Do The O’s Have Here?
He’s made 3 starts as an Oriole, and has a 9.00 era over 11 innings of work.
Clearly it’s been a struggle.
When a guy struggles at age 37 – especially to start a season – there is always going to be the worry he’s fallen off a cliff, and won’t rebound.
He made 31 starts last year for the American League Champion Toronto Blue Jays, and finished with a 3.96 era over 170 innings of work.
The O’s need him to regularly take the ball, and give them a chance.
He throws a lot of pitches. Right now, they all look like slop.
With Povich, Young, Wells, Suarez; the O’s have some internal options to replace him in the rotation if there isn’t significant near-term improvement.
But the O’s look better and stronger overall if he shows to be part of the solution.
Is Taveras Now The Starter In CF?
Taveras is already getting a lot of time in CF. His 73.1 innings ahead of Colton Cowser’s 54.
Dylan Beavers also has 14 innings in CF so far.
Taveras had 143, and 151 game seasons for the Rangers in ’23 and ’24.
It’s possible that Orioles Manager Craig Albernaz is becoming more and more comfortable with Taveras in the everyday lineup.
Last night, with O’Neill on the IL, Cowser was in RF, Taveras in CF, and Beavers was the DH.
That’s the same configuration for the game tonight as well.
Maybe it’s as simple as Albernaz’s prefers Cowser’s stronger arm in right?
Worth noting that the metrics have generally hated Taveras in CF since after the ’21 season; but he does have a lot of innings in CF under his belt.
It’s just 32 ab’s for Cowser so far, but in those 32 ab’s, he just faced lefties just 3 times. So, it’s a little disappointing he hasn’t gotten off to a better start (.566 OPS) with all of the RHP he has been seeing.
Nice Start For Tyler Ward
10 doubles in 63 ab’s over his first 16 games as an Oriole. This after he had just 31 doubles in 579 ab’s last year. He’s not going to finish ’26 with 100 doubles, but he’s not going to finish ’26 with 0 homers either. He’s given the O’s another bat they can depend on. That’s significant.
MVP Gunnar
6 homers for Henderson in 67 ab’s after 17 last year in 577 ab’s. Carrying a .911 OPS, despite just a .239 batting average so far.
He plays the game with flair and intensity, and he’s typically the most talented guy on the field.
As we’ve said previously, last year was still a very productive season for Henderson as compared to most. But it was more of an All-Star season vs. an MVP caliber season like he had in ’24.
Right now, he looks more like his ’24 self.
Series Watch
Not World Series watch, but individual series.
The ’26 O’s are now 3-2 over their first 5 series of the season.
They started 2-1 vs Minnesota, went 1-2 vs. Texas, 0-3 at Pittsburgh, 3-0 in Chicago vs. the White Sox, and 2-1 vs. the Giants.
If they win tonight or tomorrow vs. Arizona, they’ll be 4-2 overall in their series’ played so far, with 3 consecutive series wins.
Offensive Numbers
With 21 runs scored in their last 3 games, the O’s enter play tonight tied for 16th overall with 69 runs scored.
They are 7th overall in on-base %, and 6th overall in slugging %.
Updates On Holliday and Westburg
It was announced tonight that Holliday has been pulled off of his rehab assignment with continued soreness in his wrist.
He wasn’t hitting at AAA Norfolk, and that becomes a bit more understandable if he wasn’t feeling right.
The hamate bone removal he had is a pretty common injury for baseball players, with many experiencing temporary drops in their power.
Get some further rest, get right. Then get back into the lineup.
It’s easier to feel good about Holliday taking the time he needs to get right, when we’re coming off of Jeremiah Jackson’s big night (2 homers, 5 rbi).
Don’t blame any O’s fan that wasn’t watching down the stretch last year, but J. Jackson was a bright spot the last 1/3 of the year, when had a .775 OPS over 170 ab’s.
There is something there, and the position is his right now.
He doesn’t have to keep looking over his shoulder.
Go out, have fun. Keep earning your spot in the lineup.
When Holliday is right, and has earned his way back to the show; we can discuss what happens then.
Westburg has begun a throwing program, and the earliest he can return is May 24th.
Rogers, Bradish, Baz
Trevor Rogers as picked up exactly where he left off in ’25. Every start he makes right now, he’s getting closer to a nice payday as he hits Free Agency.
Would think the O’s are making some effort to try and lock him up now before he hits the open market.
At some point, he probably doesn’t continue to be a sub 2 era pitcher; but he’s certainly looking like he’s going to remain a very useful piece.
Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz haven’t lit the world on fire in the initial 3 starts each of them have had respectfully, but that’s ok.
Okay in the sense that it’s just 3 starts, and we believe in the talent.
Baz doesn’t have to be much different than he’s been so far. Would like to see him put away hitters a bit more frequently, but basically if he continues as is, that’s fine for a 3rd starter.
Take the ball every 5th, give some innings, at-least occasionally show off the upside.
With Bradish, the biggest thing which stands out is that he’s had 3 walks in each of his three starts.
You would think that won’t continue.
Love Bradish, and if he stays available, I’m sure he’ll be productive.
How productive he is, will largely determine the O’s overall upside as a team im-my-opinion.
If he’s able to approximate his ’23 season, the O’s will win a lot of games.
If this year becomes a bit more of a struggle for him than was expected; that will have impact as well.
Next 16 Games
Tonight and tomorrow vs. Arizona (2)
@ Cleveland (4)
@ Kansas City (3)
Boston (3)
Houston (3)
@ NY Yankees (1st game of a four game series)
How many series can you win?
At 9-7, the O’s are on a 91 win pace.
Where will they be after this next 16 game slate?
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.