While it is not technically the halfway point of the season, the All-Star Break has long been viewed as baseball’s unofficial midpoint.
The Baltimore Orioles head into the break having played 97 games, sitting at 46-51. While the season has not unfolded the way many in Birdland envisioned, the Birds finds itself just two games out of the third and final AL Wild Card spot.
With 65 games remaining, there is still plenty of baseball left and hope that a postseason push is within reach. Before the stretch run begins, let’s dive into this All-Star Edition of The Great, The Good & The Ugly.
THE GREAT: A FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK
The Orioles had won three consecutive games seven different times this season, only to fall short each time they attempted to extend the streak to four. So, when the Birds entered the first-half finale with another opportunity to finally break through, many in Birdland expected more disappointment.
Instead, the Orioles delivered.
Baltimore rolled to an 8-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, completing the series sweep while securing its first four-game winning streak of the season.
Just as encouraging has been the offense. The Orioles have scored five or more runs in four of its last five games, while climbing out of the AL East basement heading into the break.
THE GOOD: ADLEY RUTSCHMAN
The Orioles were represented by just one All-Star at this year’s Mid-Summer Classic, but Adley Rutschman certainly earned the honor.
While an argument could be made that other Orioles deserved roster spots, Rutschman was selected to his third All-Star Game thanks to another strong campaign on both sides of the ball.
He also had the opportunity to catch his former batterymate, Bryan Baker, to close out the game, a 4-0 American League shutout.
Rutschman heads into second half slashing .253/.327/.436 with eight home runs, 47 RBIs, 29 runs scored and 61 hits in 68 games. He has also drawn 28 walks against just 39 strikeouts while posting a .300/.338/.550 slash line with runners in scoring position.
THE UGLY: THE INJURY BUG
The injury bug has once again struck the Birds, and this latest wave could have significant ramifications for the second half.
Ryan Helsley avoided the worst-case scenario after being diagnosed with elbow inflammation. While he will require another rehab assignment, the Orioles are optimistic he will return after appearing in just 17 games this season.
Keegan Akin was not nearly as fortunate. The veteran left-hander suffered a UCL injury and underwent Tommy John Surgery on Wednesday. He will miss the remainder of the 2026 season and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2027 campaign.
The biggest blow, however, may have been the loss of Blaze Alexander, who had been the O’s hottest hitter before his injury.
Alexander was hit by a pitch during Sunday’s series finale against Kansas City, suffering a non-displaced fracture in his left hand. He is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
With Helsley, Akin and Alexander sidelined for extended periods of time, Baltimore will likely explore every avenue to reinforce the roster, whether through trades, the waiver wire or internal promotions.
The Orioles return from the All-Star Break on Friday with the start of a six-game road trip against the Houston Astros, followed by a series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway.
Can Baltimore build on its first four-game winning streak of the season? Will Adley Rutschman continue his All-Star-caliber campaign? And how will the Orioles replace key contributors as the trade deadline approaches?
We will begin finding those answers when the second half gets underway.
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