Baltimore Orioles

As the 2026 MLB season approaches, the Baltimore Orioles find themselves in a familiar position - on the cusp of contention, but still searching for that elusive playoff berth. With a projected win total of 73 and a 7.7% chance of reaching the postseason, the Orioles are firmly in the Wild Card bubble, a testament to the steady progress they've made in recent years.

The backbone of this Orioles squad lies in their young, promising core. Slugger Pete Alonso continues to anchor the lineup, providing both power and consistency with his 38 home runs and .272 batting average. Alongside him, the emergence of Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg has given the Orioles a potent middle of the order, while the versatile Taylor Ward brings additional pop and outfield coverage. On the mound, the rotation is headlined by the electric Trevor Rogers, who posted a remarkable 1.81 ERA in 2025, and the veteran presence of Chris Bassitt, whose experience and steady hand will be crucial for the young Orioles pitching staff.

However, the Orioles still face challenges in rounding out their roster and addressing areas of weakness. The bullpen remains a question mark, and the team will need Keegan Akin to build on his solid 2025 campaign to provide reliable innings. If the Orioles can navigate these hurdles and get consistent production from their core players, they may just find themselves in the thick of the playoff race come September, ready to take the next step in their ongoing rebuilding process.