A week that began with the Baltimore Orioles dropping six of seven games before an offensive surge in Kansas City ultimately produced mixed results.
The return of Adley Rutschman provided a boost to the lineup, but questions remain. Ryan Helsley is on the bereavement list, Jackson Holliday’s rehab was halted again due to wrist discomfort and Andrew Kittredge continues to struggle at Triple-A Norfolk during his rehab stint.
Baltimore finished its seven-game road trip 3–4, losing a series in Cleveland to the Guardians before bouncing back to take an entertaining set from the Royals in Kansas City. After 13 straight games, the Orioles are off Thursday ahead of a six-game homestand.
So before the Birds jump back into action, let’s see who made the week’s edition of The Great, The Good & The Ugly.
THE GREAT: LEODY TAVERAS
Originally brought in as outfield depth, Leody Taveras has become a steady contributor on both sides of the ball.
Taveras recorded six hits over the past week, including two home runs — one a grand slam — while driving in six runs and posting a .273/.360/.545 line.
With Tyler O’Neill being out and Colton Cowser still trying to find consistency, Taveras’ emergence has been critical. For the season, he is slashing .327/.426/.500 with 14 RBIs and nine walks.
THE GOOD: ANTHONY NUNEZ
After turning heads in spring, Anthony Nunez has quickly become a key piece in the O’s bullpen.
The 24-year-old picked up his first career win and save this week, allowing just one run over 3.2 innings across three appearances.
On the season, Nunez owns a 1.46 ERA and 0.65 WHIP with 15 strikeouts to just two walks, establishing himself as a reliable late-inning option alongside Yennier Canó and Rico Garcia.
THE UGLY: GUNNAR HENDERSON
It is rare to see Henderson in this category, but he is in the midst of a difficult stretch.
Over the road trip, he hit just .103/.182/.241 with 12 strikeouts. His season line (.189/.269/.443) reflects that inconsistency, though his defense remains strong.
With Rutschman back and the lineup beginning to stabilize, the Orioles will need Henderson to regain his form soon.
Baltimore is still searching for consistency, but signs of life from the offense offer some encouragement. With pitching needing to catch up, this upcoming homestand could be a turning point.
The Birds embark on a six game home stand with Thursday and Monday off days before a 16-game stretch begins.
Be sure to come back next week for a new edition of The Great, The Good and The Ugly.
What are your thoughts on our selections this week? 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!
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