Can Baltimore’s Late-Season Spark Ignite a 2026 Turnaround?
The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2025 season with high expectations, but instead found themselves in one of the most disappointing campaigns in recent memory. After building momentum in previous years and positioning themselves as a team on the rise, the Orioles stumbled out of the gate in dramatic fashion. Injuries plagued both the starting rotation and the lineup, eliminating the depth that had carried them through past adversity. Adding to the turmoil, trades of Ryan O’Hearn, Cedric Mullins, and Ramón Laureano removed some of the few consistent producers, further sending the team into a downward spiral in the first half. The firing of manager Brandon Hyde in May symbolized just how far things had strayed from expectations, leaving many to write off 2025 entirely as a failed season.
Since then, however, a curious resurgence has taken place in Baltimore. Under interim manager Tony Mansolino, the Orioles have rediscovered the fight that was missing in those early months. With a 54-49 record since Mansolino took the reins, they have shown competitiveness against strong opponents and shown flashes of what many thought they would be from the start. The recent stretch to open September has been especially encouraging, sweeping the Padres, taking down the Dodgers in a tough series, and finishing off a sweep of the Pirates this afternoon. Winning eight of their past nine games now has Baltimore sitting at 69-77, with the possibility of finishing close to .500, an outcome that seemed unthinkable when the team struggled to stay relevant through much of June and July.
Momentum late in a lost season can be viewed in two different ways. To skeptics, the Orioles’ surge in September will be nothing more than a brief run from a team out of contention, with little meaningful impact carrying over into next season. Yet for a young, developing roster trying to grow together, these experiences matter. Winning series against contending teams instills confidence, especially in players who will be central figures moving forward. Mansolino’s ability to pull this group together after such a disastrous stretch not only stabilizes the ship but also provides Baltimore’s front office with data on which players remain reliable competitors down the stretch.
The most important element of this late-season push is how it reflects on the Orioles’ young core. Gunnar Henderson remains the centerpiece of the offense, showing why he is a franchise cornerstone. Jackson Holliday has shaken off a tough start to his big-league career and is quickly adapting to the daily grind, showing signs that he can be an anchor in the infield alongside Henderson. Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers have contributed flashes that hint at higher ceilings, while Adley Rutschman continues to prove he is the stabilizing leader behind the plate. With this foundation intact, Baltimore still maintains one of the most talented collections of young stars in the league, which provides optimism that 2025’s struggles were more the result of injuries and instability rather than a regression in the team’s overall trajectory.
Looking ahead, whether the Orioles can carry this momentum into 2026 will depend heavily on the decisions made this offseason. The front office will need to address pitching depth, as injuries tore through the rotation this year and left the team scrambling to cover innings. Adding reliable veterans to complement the budding stars will be key to avoiding another rocky start. The managerial situation also looms large: should Mansolino have the interim tag removed, or will the organization go in a different direction to reset fully for 2026? Regardless of what path they choose, the optimism from September cannot be wasted.
The 2025 season will ultimately be remembered as a disappointment when viewed against expectations, but it does not mean the Orioles’ window has suddenly slammed shut. If anything, this late push serves as a reminder of the talent base still in place and the competitiveness that can shine under the right circumstances. As they march toward the offseason, the key question becomes whether this recent burst was simply a fleeting sign of pride or the first step toward redemption in 2026. For a fanbase longing for October baseball, the hope is that these September wins are laying the groundwork for something much greater in the year to come.
