The Baltimore Orioles (50-53) picked up right where they left off before the All-Star Break, sweeping the Houston Astros to extend their winning streak to seven games.
Unfortunately, they followed that up with a trip to Boston to face a Red Sox club that entered the series riding a 13-game winning streak.
The Orioles managed to salvage the finale after Boston extended its streak to 15 games, finishing the road trip at 4-2. More importantly, the Birds enter the weekend just three games out of the final American League Wild Card spot.
Before Baltimore opens a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Camden Yards Friday night, let’s take a look at The Great, The Good & The Ugly from the first week of the second half.
THE GREAT: KYLE BRADISH
Not only did the Orioles reward their ace with a five-year, $90 million contract extension, but Kyle Bradish continues to prove why he is the unquestioned leader of Baltimore’s rotation.
After an inconsistent first month while working to regain the feel for his two-seamer and breaking balls, Bradish has looked every bit like the pitcher who finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting in 2023.
His latest statement came in Wednesday’s series finale against Boston. With the Orioles trying to avoid a sweep and the Red Sox looking to break its franchise record with a 16th consecutive victory, Bradish delivered exactly what his club needed.
The 29-year-old right-hander tossed six innings, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four and walking one. The outing improved him to 7-9 on the season while lowering his ERA to 3.49.
Over his last seven starts, Bradish is 4-2 with a 2.86 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 42 strikeouts across 44 innings, allowing just 30 hits.
Perhaps the biggest indicator that Bradish has returned to his pre-injury form is his consistency. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 20 starts this season and has recorded 10 quality starts.
THE GOOD: TYLER O’NEILL
It has been quite some time since Tyler O’Neill found himself on the positive side of this series, but the veteran outfielder is beginning to reward the Orioles for their patience.
Since the All-Star Break, O’Neill has appeared in four games, going 5-for-11 (.455) with two doubles, two runs scored and four RBIs while striking out only three times.
The hot streak is part of an even better month of July.
O’Neill is slashing .333/.375/.800 this month with 10 hits, including two doubles and four home runs, while driving in eight runs and scoring seven.
O’Neill’s defense has quietly remained a strength throughout the season as well. He has been solid in right field and has recorded four assists and possibly the defensive play of the season with his cannon of a throw to the plate in Houston, saving the game for the Birds.
If he can continue producing offensively down the stretch, it would provide a significant boost to an O’s lineup looking for more consistent production.
THE UGLY: THE CATCHING POSITION
Few teams have enjoyed the stability behind the plate that the Orioles have over the past several seasons.
With Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo, Baltimore arguably entered the year with the best offensive catching tandem in baseball, while also receiving quality defense from both backstops.
Unfortunately, that strength has suddenly become a concern.
Within days of each other, both catchers landed on the injured list. Rutschman was sidelined with wrist inflammation, marking his third stint of the season, while Basallo landed on the IL after aggravating his right shoulder.
Rutschman, Baltimore’s lone All-Star and a three-time selection, is now on his fifth injured list stint since June 2025.
In their absence, Chadwick Tromp and Sam Huff will handle the catching duties. The Orioles also claimed veteran backstop Yohel Pozo off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk for the time being.
The Orioles return home Friday to begin a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves before heading back on the road for a match-up with the Detroit Tigers.
Can Bradish continue pitching like the ace of the staff? Will O’Neill sustain his hot streak? And perhaps most importantly, how long can the Orioles withstand losing both of its catchers?
Stay tuned for next week’s edition of The Great, The Good & The Ugly.
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