The Orioles’ seven-game winning streak had them trending in the right direction, but a road series loss to the Red Sox cooled that momentum fast and left Baltimore a few games out of a projected AL wild-card spot. With more than 50 games still to play, there’s still time to climb back into the race. The problem is that the margin for error keeps shrinking, and the injuries keep piling up.
Baltimore is already missing star catchers Samuel Basallo and Adley Rutschman, both on the injured list. The pitching staff has taken hits too, with starter Chris Bassitt unavailable and several key relievers sidelined by injuries. That backdrop helped shape the response when readers were asked whether the Orioles will make the playoffs.
The answers leaned pessimistic, even if a few readers still saw a path forward. Some pointed to the recent surge as proof the Orioles can still make a push. Others said the hot streak doesn’t outweigh the team’s inconsistency, injuries and the long list of clubs standing in the way.
“The current little hot streak isn’t enough to get them there - especially with this team’s propensity to go into a funk. There are too many teams to leapfrog into playoff position, and you cannot count on their collapse. Is getting into the third wildcard spot worth buying at the trade deadline?” - David B.
“Injuries to key players will derail them, just as they are sinking the Yankees currently.” - Donald Huffman
“Absolutely, they will make the playoffs if they keep playing well down the stretch. Staying healthy is key, and make some trades for pitchers or another big bat.” - David Cortina
“If the offense can really get going, I don’t see why not.” - William Frazier
“Despite the AL being pretty ordinary, the Orioles consistently prove that they’re less than that.” - Mark
One reader said the starting pitching has been good enough, but the rest of the roster has dragged the team down.
“I believe the starting pitching is good enough for the Orioles to get in the playoffs, but inconsistent hitting and horrible defense will keep them out. Let’s be honest, they beat a horrible Kansas City team and the Astros, who are more banged up than we are.
That accounted for six games in the seven-game winning streak. They play Boston, Atlanta and Philadelphia to close out July; let’s see where they stand then.
At that point, I sincerely hope that Mike Elias doesn’t think he found fool’s gold and starts buying just to save his job and keep the fans coming to the park.” - Bob Lancione
Others were even less optimistic about the Orioles’ chances, citing the pitching volatility, the injuries and the defense.
“No, the pitchers are too hot and cold, too many injuries, key players not hitting and the infield is the worst Orioles infield in memory.” - Jim R.
Still, a few readers said the Orioles can get there if they keep the edge they showed during the winning streak and handle the teams directly ahead of them.
“If they continue to play with the heart and determination they had during their winning streak, it wouldn’t take much to grab that wild-card spot.” - Sue Meyers
“Only if they beat the teams in front of them. They need to get to 500 in the next 10 games.” - Donald Williams
Some responses looked beyond this season entirely.
“Maybe in 2033.” - Michael Fell
“I think they’ve set a good baseline for a run next year. Was worth the wait.” - Virgil Equis
A few readers remained believers, saying the team still has time to settle in and sort out its issues.
“I’ve believed in them all season! There were a lot of adjustments to get used to and time to get the new coaches working with them, as well as learning to play together.
That said, we will see how they fare with the next several series.” - Jerri St. John
“They make too many errors in the infield, but if they clean that up and get the bats going, they can beat anyone.” - Greg Kunesch
“If they make basic routine baseball plays like throwing, fielding and cutting down on strikeouts, then they can compete.” - David Owen
In Other News...
Orioles Cannot Let This Rotation Fix Slip Away At The Deadline
The Orioles are heading into the deadline with a rotation question that could shape the rest of their season, and the next stretch will help determine how aggressively they act. If the club decides it needs help, the market may offer a rare chance to add a controllable starter with years of team control left, which matters for a Baltimore team trying to balance the present with a deeper run ahead.
Los Angeles could be willing to move controllable pitchers as it starts a rebuild, but that kind of opportunity usually comes at a real cost. Baltimore has the farm depth to make a serious offer, yet landing a pitcher with strong underlying indicators despite an ordinary ERA will likely require giving up more than a low-level flier, and the Orioles will have to decide how much future talent they are willing to spend to keep this rotation fix from slipping away. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Top Prospect Ike Irish Faces A Brutal Injury Setback
The Orioles player development pipeline took a hit this week when Ike Irish landed on High-A Fredericks injured list after a knee injury, a tough turn for the clubs first pick in the 2025 draft and its No. 2 prospect. Irish had been one of the most closely watched young players in the system, so any extended absence immediately changes the conversation around Baltimores next wave of talent.
The setback was part of a rough stretch across the lower levels, with Delmarva infielder Cobb Hightower also undergoing ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair. Baltimore did make a pitching move to help cover the roster, recalling left-hander Josh Walker from Triple-A Norfolk, but the bigger concern for the organization is how much development time it stands to lose with two notable infield prospects suddenly sidelined. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Ownership Just Weighed In On Mike Elias Before The Deadline
The Orioles used Kyle Bradishs five-year, $90 million extension as more than just a celebration of a homegrown arm. At a press conference announcing the deal, president of baseball operations Mike Elias and control owner David Rubenstein both tried to reinforce the bigger message around the organization: the club believes in where it is headed, and it is willing to keep investing in that direction as it builds around its core.
Rubenstein also made clear that the front office is not treating this as a one-off move, saying the team is open to more long-term deals with players who want to stay. With the Trade Deadline approaching, that matters for a club still trying to keep its season on track, and it puts a little extra weight on the next stretch of games as Baltimore sorts out whether its future is best served by adding, extending, or simply standing pat. [Read more 🡒]