Six games left ahead of the break, focusing on the draft, and a disappointing 2025.
Good morning Birdland,
The final week of MLB’s “first half” begins today for the Orioles. They host the Mets for three followed by three more with the Marlins before everyone—except Ryan O’Hearn—gets a few days of rest.
The Mets have recently emerged from a slump that saw them cough up a 5.5-game lead in the NL East in the second half of June. Last week saw them win four of five and take series from the Brewers and Yankees.
The Marlins have been in solid form for a while now. Dating back to June 22, they have are 11-3, but still find themselves on the outskirts of the playoff picture, 7.5 games back of the final wild card spot in the NL. What many around these parts may care about more in this series is the return of Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers. They are likely to face Trevor Rogers in the three-game set. It should be interesting!
These six games offer yet another opportunity for the Orioles to claw back within shouting distance of the postseason. Going 4-2 or better would feel pretty good for this group and send them into a mini-vacation on a high note. Will it ultimately matter in Mike Elias’ approach to the trade deadline? We shall see.
Links
O’s will ‘do everything in our power to nail it’ with ‘25 Draft picks | MLB.com
I sure hope so, Mike! The Orioles do genuinely have a lot of valuable picks after losing Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander in free agency. This is an opportunity to rebuild the minors to a significant degree. Add that to the potential to “sell” at the deadline, and you just know Elias is salivating.
Orioles Outright Luis F. Castillo | MLB Trade Rumors
Yet another player that the Orioles have DFA’d this year and been able to retain. Hopefully, they never have to use Castillo for the rest of the year. But having pitchers with MLB experience down in Norfolk is helpful.
Looking at some unexpected developments in Orioles’ 2025 season | Roch Kubatko
Roch points out that despite how much better the Orioles have played since late May, they are not gaining much, if any, momentum in the standings. Since June 23 they have actually lost a game in the wild card chase. The math just does not look favorable for them to make a playoff push.
Orioles are playing better, but ’25 season remains a disappointment | Baltimore Baseball
There is no question that these Orioles have been disappointing. But it’s not like the front office went “all out” to make this team a contender. They just hoped the internal solutions would work out, and they haven’t. Hopefully there is a lesson to be learned.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Danny Ardoin turns 51 today. The catcher appeared in five games for the Orioles 2006.
- Jerome Walton is 60 years old. He played 26 games in the outfield for the 1997 O’s.
- The late John Powers (b. 1929, d. 2001) was born on this day. In 1960 he played in 10 games for the Orioles.
This day in O’s history
1958 – Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium hosts the All-Star Game. Neither team manages to produce an extra base hit as the AL beats the NL 4-3.
1969 – Mike Cuellar throws a complete game three-hitter and the Orioles beat the Yankees 4-1.
1970 – The Orioles come back from a late two-run deficit to beat the Yankees 9-8 on a Frank Robinson home run and two-out single from Don Buford in the ninth inning.