We are a little more than one-third of the way through the season, and there is still a long summer ahead.
The Baltimore Orioles have now played 60 games — matching the length of the entire 2020 season. (Fun fact: they already have three more wins than that club.)
The last 20 games have revealed a lot about this team as it heads into a pivotal June. It is time for the third edition of Vibes Check.
From 40 games to 60
When we last checked in, the Orioles sat at 17-23 after May 9 following a 7-13 stretch. Since then, the Birds have posted their first winning 20-game segment of the season, going 11-9 to improve to 28-32 through May 31.
The biggest talking points in the previous edition centered around an improving offense led by Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Samuel Basallo and Adley Rutschman, along with the early success of manager Craig Albernaz. The major concern was a battered and underperforming rotation.
So, have things changed? The answer may surprise you.
Great Vibes: The rotation has been outstanding
The Orioles’ rotation was a disaster during games 21-40, posting a 5.88 ERA. Shane Baz (6.04 ERA), Kyle Bradish (5.06 ERA) and Brandon Young (5.74 ERA) all struggled mightily.
From May 10 through May 31, Orioles starters combined for a 3.68 ERA across 102.2 innings. Even more impressive, the group has been far better than its 4-6 record suggests.
The turnaround has been led by the same pitchers who struggled earlier in the season. Bradish owns a sparkling 1.11 ERA over four starts, allowing just three earned runs in 24.1 innings. Baz has posted a 2.25 ERA in three starts, while Young has recorded a 2.42 ERA across four outings.
If those three continue pitching at this level, the Orioles could make things interesting in the American League.
Good Vibes: This team fights
One of the biggest complaints about the 2025 Orioles was a lack of resilience. Too often, games felt over the moment an opponent grabbed a lead.
Over the past 20 games, the Orioles have repeatedly battled back from deficits and refused to fold.
The most memorable examples include Colton Cowser’s three-run walk-off homer against Detroit in the first game of a May 24 doubleheader, his two-run walk-off blast against Tampa Bay on May 25 after the Orioles outscored the Rays 7-5 in innings 11 through 14 and Baltimore’s stunning five-run ninth inning comeback against Toronto on May 30.
This team has shown fight, and that is something Birdland has been waiting to see.
Bad Vibes: The bullpen is cracking
For much of the season, the bullpen has been the Orioles’ safety net. Over the last 20 games, however, it has become a concern.
Baltimore relievers posted a 5.26 ERA across 75.1 innings during this stretch, blowing multiple leads and struggling to consistently shut down opposing lineups.
Not everyone has struggled, though. Rico Garcia has continued to shine, posting a 1.08 ERA during this span. Others have not been as fortunate. Anthony Nunez, who started the season strong, owns an 8.00 ERA over his last 10 appearances. Keegan Akin has a 12.60 ERA in six relief outings, though he has remained effective when used as an opener.
If the Orioles hope to climb back into contention, the bullpen will definitely need to stabilize.
Worst Vibes: Poor fundamental baseball
Despite the 11-9 record, the Orioles continue to make life harder than it needs to be.
Poor defense, baserunning mistakes and missed opportunities with runners in scoring position have plagued the club all season, and those issues remained prominent over the last 20 games.
The biggest problem has been cashing in with runners in scoring position. Baltimore hit .248 in those situations, collecting just 43 hits in 173 at-bats. The Birds also stranded 141 runners during the stretch — more than seven per game on average.
Four separate games featured double-digit runners left on base. Baltimore also recorded four games with no hits with runners in scoring position and three more with just one.
Defensively, the Orioles committed seven errors, five of which eventually led to runs. That does not include Leody Taveras’ dropped fly ball and defensive miscues against Toronto on May 30 that helped extend the Blue Jays’ lead. Add in three pickoffs on the bases, and it is clear the Orioles are still losing too many games to preventable mistakes.
Future Vibes: Buckle up, Birdland
The next 20 games could define the Orioles’ season.
It begins with six straight road games: three at Fenway Park in Boston and three at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Then comes a seven-game homestand featuring four against Seattle and three against San Diego without an off day in between.
After a June 15 off day, Baltimore heads west for a challenging road trip: three games in Seattle, three against the Dodgers and a stop in Anaheim.
The schedule isn’t getting any easier, and June is shaping up to be a rollercoaster. Buckle up, Birdland.
What are your thoughts on the vibes in Birdland right now? 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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