With the Orioles dropping two out of three to San Diego to finish their first losing homestand of the season over the weekend, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Taking the opener puts you in great position to win a series, but this marked the second time in the last three sets Baltimore did so and failed to win two of three. After that encouraging 10-4 stretch, the Orioles have dropped six of nine. Just not consistent enough.
2. The offense has been among baseball’s best over the last month, but going 2-for-22 with runners in scoring position for the series isn’t getting it done. The Orioles rank 10th in the majors in OPS with runners in scoring position, but they run very hot and cold in that department.
3. Trevor Rogers delivered his most complete start in quite a while as the two-run second inning involved some rotten luck, and his four strikeouts and 12 swinging strikes were his best in those categories since mid-April. Baltimore needs much more of that from its Opening Day starter.
4. In contrast, Trey Gibson’s poor command didn’t give his team much of a chance Saturday and led to the scary beaning of Xander Bogaerts and the ensuing drama. The rookie finally missing some bats was a positive, but learning at this level isn’t ideal. Rotation injuries are taking their toll.
5. You wouldn’t know it based on fan discourse, but the Orioles rank third in the AL in runs per game (4.70). The problem is ranking 13th in the AL in runs allowed per game (5.15). The offense isn’t special enough to overcome such poor run prevention that includes below-average defense.
6. The defense has improved since a woeful start to 2026, but then you watch Sunday’s ninth inning that included three infield errors and a missed tag at home plate. The Orioles had no shot against Padres closer Mason Miller anyway, but that inning reflected a lack of late-game focus.
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7. One hopes the bizarre drama involving Craig Albernaz and Samuel Basallo is in the rearview mirror, and it was good to see the rookie homer Friday and collect some hits over the weekend after a slow start to his June. All parties need to learn from this and move on.
8. Blaze Alexander owns a .410/.451/.602 slash line over his last 93 plate appearances going back to May 3. Meanwhile, reliever Kade Strowd has one appearance for Arizona and a 5.57 ERA at Triple-A Reno. Mike Elias isn’t popular these days, but he deserves some credit for that deal.
9. Ryan Helsley’s return appears imminent, which is great news with Rico Garcia allowing a homer for the third time in four appearances Sunday. That’s not reason for panic as Garcia still sports a 1.82 ERA, but this bullpen will need at least one additional high-leverage arm to contend.
10. On Friday, Gunnar Henderson joined Manny Machado, Eddie Murray, Boog Powell, and Cal Ripken as the fifth Oriole age 24 or younger to reach 100 homers. His .271/.407/.375 slash line for June includes more walks and fewer strikeouts. Baltimore needs Henderson to be great to do anything notable.
11. Though Jeremiah Jackson cooled off dramatically in May, I was surprised to realize Sunday marked his first start since May 30. Understanding the Orioles are trying to get Jackson Holliday going at the plate, you’d still like to keep Jackson in the mix a little more.
12. Baltimoreans watching the New York Knicks end a 53-year title drought had to be pondering when the Orioles will end their World Series drought standing at 43 years. It felt like this club was in really good position a few years ago, but such thoughts feel further away now.
