“Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint.”
It is a familiar refrain early in the season, when players are still shaking off offseason rust and settling into form. With that in mind, it can be useful to break the 162-game schedule into eight 20-game segments — natural checkpoints to evaluate both performance and overall feel.
So, with that being said, welcome to the first installment of Vibes Check.
GOOD VIBES: THE BULLPEN
The most encouraging development through 20 games has been the bullpen’s unexpected excellence. The Orioles have already deployed 12 relievers, and seven of them own ERAs under 3.50.
Rico Garcia has opened the year with 10 scoreless innings, while rookie Anthony Nunez has impressed with a 1.93 ERA across 9.1 innings. Ryan Helsley has converted all six of his save opportunities, posting a 2.16 ERA in 8.1 innings.
Meanwhile, Yennier Cano, who was coming off a difficult 2025, has rebounded in a big way, allowing just one earned run on four hits with no walks over 6.1 innings.
As a unit, Baltimore’s bullpen currently ranks 11th in MLB with a 3.45 ERA. For a group that entered the season with uncertainty, it has quickly become arguably the biggest strength.
GOOD VIBES: UNEXPECTED CONTRIBUTORS
Few would have predicted Jeremiah Jackson emerging as one the Orioles’ most productive hitters through 20 games. Building on a strong 2025, Jackson has elevated his game, ranking near the top of the roster in home runs (5), hits (19) and RBIs (17).
On the pitching side, Cade Povich and Brandon Young have capitalized on their limited opportunities. Povich delivered 5.2 innings of two-run relief against Pittsburgh, then followed with 6.2 innings of one-run ball against San Francisco, striking out five. Young contributed five scoreless innings in his lone start against Chicago.
For a team navigating early injuries, those performances have been significant.
QUESTIONABLE VIBES: OFFENSE, ESPECIALLY WITH RISP
The Orioles’ offense remains difficult to fully assess in a league-wide environment where scoring has been inconsistent.
The Birds rank 14th in team batting average (.239), 13th in hits (157), are tied for 16th in home runs (18) and 13th in OPS (.709) — solid but unspectacular marks.
The more pressing issue is situational hitting. Baltimore ranks 19th in OPS (.732) and 20th in batting average with runners in scoring position (.237). Interestingly, the O’s have been effective with runners on-base overall, hitting .267 (eighth in MLB), but have struggled to deliver once those runners reach scoring position.
FUTURE VIBES
The next 20-game stretch should provide more clarity for the Orioles. A challenging schedule — two more in Cleveland, three in Kansas City, series against Boston and Houston, a four-game set at Yankee Stadium, plus trips to Miami and Oakland — will be a tough test.
At 10-10, Baltimore remains firmly in the mix. Potential reinforcements, including a return from Jackson Holliday and Adley Rutschman coming off the IL, could provide a boost.
If the bullpen maintains its level and the offense improves in key moments, the outlook heading into the next checkpoint could be considerably brighter.
What are your thoughts on the current vibes of the Orioles? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
Represent The Baltimore Battery and show off your fandom with our official merchandise! Reasonably-priced attire made just for you! Visit our official shop site by clicking here!
Like Zack’s content? Follow him on X – @Zackattack8211 and @OsMilbUpdates for all the latest news and updates on the O’s farm system!
THE BALTIMORE BATTERY 
Leave a comment