With the Orioles losing the last two to drop a three-game series to Arizona, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Considering the 2023-like feel to Monday’s dramatic comeback win and having Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish start the final two games, dropping this three-game set was a deflating finish to the homestand. Losing a series in which you won the opener is always disappointing, especially when playing at home.
2. The defense was a much-discussed concern entering 2026, but the outfield defense has been even worse than expected. To no surprise, Wednesday’s trio of Weston Wilson, Blaze Alexander, and Johnathan Rodriguez was extremely problematic. For his defense alone, Colton Cowser should be playing an outfield spot every day.
3. “Never overlook an orchid while searching for a rose.” That was Buck Showalter’s old expression about unheralded players. While we continue waiting for most of the talented young core™ to produce or get healthy, Jeremiah Jackson keeps getting the job done. What a series for the 26-year-old second baseman.
4. Without Andrew Kittredge and Keegan Akin, the bullpen entered Wednesday ranked 10th in the majors in ERA. However, the struggles of Tyler Wells continued as he was scored on for the fifth time in eight appearances. I thought his stuff would tick up more than it has pitching in relief.
5. This series reminded how slim the margin is between good and bad for the starting rotation. Three pitches going out of the ballpark overshadowed Dean Kremer’s impressive swing-and-miss stuff, a bad fifth inning cost Rogers, and three of the four runs surrendered by Bradish came with two outs.
86. Higher velocity and an improved first-strike percentage (70.4%) were steps in the right direction for Bradish Wednesday. Through his first three starts, the 29-year-old was throwing a first-pitch strike just 42.6% of the time, which was well below his career mark (57.7%). Getting ahead is so critical to success.
7. The injuries to position players showed up Wednesday as the Orioles faced their first left-handed starter of the season without Adley Rutschman, Tyler O’Neill, Ryan Mountcastle, and Jordan Westburg. Quite a few Orioles fans wouldn’t have been able to identify close to half of Wednesday’s starters out of a lineup.
8. Before resting Wednesday, Samuel Basallo caught four straight games and responded with a long home run in two of the last three. He’s struggled out of the gate, so you wonder if focusing more heavily on his catching may have helped him relax with the bat. The power is real.
9. Ryan Helsley threw three straight splitters to strike out Ketel Marte on three pitches in Wednesday’s ninth inning. Considering Baltimore’s closer just began throwing that pitch this spring, it’s already becoming a serious weapon for him.
10. You barely notice the pitch clock anymore, which is what made Pete Alonso’s strikeout on a violation so surprising. Regardless of whether home plate umpire John Tumpane got that one correct or not, Leody Taveras driving in a run on a 56.3-mph grounder immediately after that felt fitting.
11. A 9-9 start is certainly no reason to be satisfied, but the early-season schedule has ended up being more formidable than anticipated on paper. Of the six clubs the Orioles have faced, Minnesota, Texas, Pittsburgh, and Arizona all entered Thursday above .500.
812. Craig Albernaz taking the line drive to his face was frightening Monday, but his return to the dugout to celebrate Jackson’s grand slam was something out of a movie. Though this club is banged up and has its warts, Albernaz has definitely improved the vibes from last year’s nightmare.
