The Baltimore Orioles hit a grim milestone on May 9, 2025, falling 10 games under .500 with a 13-15 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The defeat dropped their record to 14-24, a far cry from the high-flying success of recent seasons. After posting a 101-61 record in 2023 and a 91-71 mark in 2024, both earning playoff berths, the Orioles are now grappling with a spiraling season that has fans questioning whether a postseason push is still possible.
A Season Unraveling
The Orioles’ latest loss in Minnesota encapsulated their 2025 struggles. Despite jumping out to an early 5-0 lead, Baltimore’s pitching imploded, allowing seven runs in the fourth inning alone. The Twins piled on, with Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton tormenting Orioles hurlers, while the offense couldn’t keep pace despite contributions from Ramon Urias and Colton Cowser. This game marked Baltimore’s sixth loss in seven games, part of a brutal stretch where they’ve been outscored 68-31 over their last 10 contests.
The numbers paint a bleak picture. The Orioles rank 26th in MLB with a .234 team batting average and 28th with a .676 OPS. Their pitching, once a strength, has faltered, with a 4.65 team ERA (24th in the league) and a league-high 42 home runs allowed. Injuries have ravaged the roster, with key players like Jordan Westburg (left hamstring strain), Ramon Urias (right hamstring strain), and Zach Eflin (lat strain) spending time on the injured list. The bullpen, leaned on heavily due to rotation woes, has been inconsistent, and the offense has stranded runners at an alarming rate, leaving 109 on base over the last 16 games.
From Contenders to Cellar Dwellers
Just two years ago, the Orioles were the AL’s top seed, riding a 101-win season fueled by a young core of Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and a resurgent pitching staff. In 2024, they secured a Wild Card spot with 91 wins but were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the first round. Expectations were high for 2025, with new ownership under David Rubenstein promising aggressive moves to build on the team’s foundation. Instead, the offseason was quiet, with minor additions like Luis F. Castillo failing to address glaring needs in the rotation and lineup.
The contrast between 2023-2024 and 2025 is stark. Baltimore’s Pythagorean win-loss record, which estimates expected wins based on runs scored and allowed, pegs them at 11-24, suggesting they’re performing as poorly as their actual record indicates. The team’s early-season schedule, including tough series against the Twins, Cardinals, and Tigers, hasn’t helped, but self-inflicted wounds—defensive miscues, strikeouts, and bullpen meltdowns—have been the real culprits.
Can the Orioles Turn It Around?
Despite the grim outlook, there are glimmers of hope for a turnaround. The return of Zach Eflin, who is set to start this weekend against Minnesota after a strong bullpen session, could stabilize the rotation. Eflin’s 3.00 ERA over 18 innings before his injury showed his value as a reliable arm. Westburg and Tyler O’Neill (neck) are also nearing returns, which could bolster the lineup and infield defense. Reinforcements like top prospect Coby Mayo, who’s splitting time at third base, and potential trade deadline acquisitions could provide a spark.
The schedule offers some relief, with upcoming series against the White Sox and Angels, two teams also struggling in 2025. If Baltimore can hover around .500 by the All-Star break, a strong second half—bolstered by 13 of their final 16 games against AL East rivals—could vault them into Wild Card contention. The AL East remains competitive, with no team running away with the division, and the expanded playoff format means a 85-88 win total might suffice for a postseason berth.
However, the challenges are daunting. The offense must find consistency, particularly from veterans like Anthony Santander, who’s hitting .215 with a 28% strikeout rate. The pitching staff needs to limit home runs and get deeper into games to ease the bullpen’s burden. Manager Brandon Hyde, under fire for lineup decisions and bullpen management, faces pressure to rally a shell-shocked clubhouse that’s lost the grit of its 2023-2024 runs.
A Postseason Push or a Lost Season?
The Orioles’ path to the playoffs hinges on a rapid turnaround. Their 2023 and 2024 seasons showed they can defy expectations, but 2025 feels different—a team weighed down by injuries, underperformance, and a lack of offseason upgrades. Fan sentiment is sour, with many pointing to the front office’s inaction as the root cause of this slide. Yet, with 124 games left, there’s time to rewrite the narrative.
For Baltimore to make a postseason push, they’ll need their stars to step up, their injured players to return healthy, and perhaps a bold move from GM Mike Elias at the trade deadline. If they can’t string together wins soon, 2025 risks becoming a wasted year for a franchise that seemed on the cusp of sustained contention. At Oriole Park at Camden Yards, hope persists, but the clock is ticking.
