The Baltimore Orioles may be sitting in fourth place in the AL East, but they remain just four games under .500 after a 3-3 road trip against division rivals Boston and Toronto.
There won’t be much time to regroup, as the Birds return home for a four-game series against the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners and a three-game weekend series against the San Diego Padres.
The finale in Toronto left a sour taste in the mouths of many Orioles fans after a controversial call helped swing the game and ultimately the series. With plenty of frustration still lingering around Birdland, let’s take a look at this week’s edition of The Great, The Good & The Ugly.
THE GREAT: COLTON COWSER
Not long ago, many — including this writer — wondered if Colton Cowser’s struggles would eventually send him back to the minors.
Instead, The Milkman has seemed to completely turn his season around.
Since the start of June, Cowser is slashing .353/.400/.706 with two home runs and four RBIs. Just as impressive, he has struck out only four times in six games while drawing two walks and continuing to provide excellent defense.
Cowser enters the week riding a four-game hitting streak, a five-game on-base streak and has reached base safely in 15 of his last 18 games. His power has returned, and the extra work he has put in before games is beginning to show in a big way.
THE GOOD: SHANE BAZ
Despite not getting the result in Toronto, Shane Baz continues to give the Orioles exactly what they need.
Baz was one out away from his fifth consecutive quality start in Sunday’s loss. While he gave up five runs, it marked the fourth straight outing in which he allowed two or fewer earned runs.
The right-hander has quietly put together one of the most consistent stretches of his career. Through 13 starts, Baz owns a 4.09 ERA with four quality starts across 77 innings. He has struck out 66 batters, walked 30 and is allowing a career-best 0.98 home runs per nine innings.
If he keeps pitching like this, more wins will follow. It is looking like president of baseball operations and acting-GM Mike Elias knew what he was doing by signing Baz to a five-year extension.
THE UGLY: CRAIG ALBERNAZ
This is not about one game or one play, but Sunday’s controversial sequence highlighted an area where Craig Albernaz still has room to grow as a big-league skipper.
With the Orioles leading 4-1, Gunnar Henderson fielded a ground ball and attempted to tag Ernie Clement before throwing to first. Clement appeared well outside the established baseline, but no out was called, extending the inning and helping shift the momentum of the game.
Albernaz came out to receive an explanation before returning to the dugout, but the moment felt bigger than that.
Managers do not need to argue every call, but there are times when a team needs to see its leader fight for them. Sunday felt like one of those moments. The Orioles needed energy, emotion and a spark, and Albernaz chose a measured approach instead.
There will be other opportunities, but this felt like a chance to make a statement that ultimately passed by.
Will Colton Cowser continue his hot streak? Can Shane Baz build on his recent run of success? And when the next pivotal moment arrives, will Craig Albernaz provide the spark his team needs?
We will find out in next week’s edition of The Great, The Good & 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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