Orioles news: Baltimore bats continue to struggle

TL;DR

The Baltimore Orioles' offense is struggling, with only three players contributing significantly while the rest of the lineup went hitless in a recent game. Pitcher Kyle Bradish performed well, but the team's overall performance raises concerns about their competitiveness this season.

Key points

Orioles offense relies on three players: Alonso, Rutschman, Basallo.
Rest of the lineup went 0-for-22 with eight strikeouts in a recent game.
Kyle Bradish had a strong outing, striking out 10 in seven innings.
Concerns about the overall quality of the team's lineup and fielding.
Jackson Holliday's return may provide a minor boost.

Baltimore Orioles

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 08: Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles rounds the bases against the Athletics during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 8, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images Good morning Birdland, The Orioles offense is a three-man operation at the moment: Pete Alonso, Adley Rutschman, and Samuel Basallo. All three of them contributed on Friday night, going a combined 4-for-9 with two home runs, three runs scored, and three RBI. That’s with Basallo beginning the day on the bench in order to catch today’s late afternoon game. The rest of the lineup went 0-for-22 with eight strikeouts. It’s a widespread problem. Gunnar Henderson is in a deep cold spell. His season OPS is down to .674. Coby Mayo only got two at-bats before he was yanked on Friday. Colton Cowser is basically just a fourth outfielder at this point, kept around for his glove and speed. They don’t trust his bat at all. Tyler O’Neill isn’t having the bounce back they hoped for. ’s doubles are drying up, and that’s not because they are turning into home runs. It’s a shame because put forth a pretty good start. He went deep, tossing seven innings, and the stuff looked good, striking out 10 in the process. The only runs he allowed all came in the fifth inning, and otherwise he shutout the Athletics offense down. Using Trey Gibson as a bullpen piece was an interesting choice, one likely done to keep the rest of the pen fresh in the middle of this long stretch without a day off. But that’s a lot to ask of a young pitcher, who rarely relieves, and will be making just his second career big league appearance. But the pitching was the least of our concerns on this day. The lineup is struggling, and at this point we may just have to admit that it’s not very good. And those same players are also not doing well in the field either. It’s a mess with no obvious in-season solution other than holding on for dear life and praying it turns around. Maybe the return of in the next week or two gives some minor boost to the bats, but it’s not as if he has ever shown the upside that was once raved about. The team simply needs more out of Henderson and Ward for starters. And they need some sort of legitimate solution at third base. It seems like the duo of and is gonna get a chance to show what they can do. That doesn’t exactly instill a ton of confidence, but it has to be better than what the position has gotten to this point. **Links** By far the highlight of the evening was the Tupac bobblehead giveaway. Credit to the Orioles marketing department for giving fans a reason to show up at the ballpark because the play on the field certainly isn’t doing it! Ward has been a good addition. The team does need him to hit more home runs, but he is walking at a ridiculous rate and doing his job as a table setter. There can’t be too many complaints about him with everything else going so poorly throughout the roster. In case you missed it, Povich is now on the IL with elbow inflammation. That usually spells bad news for a pitcher, but Povich’s discomfort is on the outside of the arm, not the inside. Tommy John often starts with pain on the inside of the elbow, so the Orioles are optimistic that he will be back rather soon. Yay? Bradish is still trying to figure out a successful formula on the mound. It seems like he is getting closer. The timing would be great as the Orioles need someone to step up in the middle of their current injury crisis. **Orioles birthdays** Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

Q&A

Why are the Baltimore Orioles struggling offensively?

The Orioles' offense relies heavily on just three players, while the rest of the lineup has been ineffective, leading to poor performance in recent games.

What impact does Jackson Holliday's return have on the Orioles?

Jackson Holliday's return could provide a minor boost to the struggling lineup, although he has not consistently shown the expected upside.

How did Kyle Bradish perform in his latest game?

Kyle Bradish pitched seven innings, striking out 10 batters and allowing only one run, showcasing a strong performance despite the team's overall struggles.

What are the Orioles' current challenges at third base?

The Orioles are facing challenges at third base, with Weston Wilson and Blaze Alexander set to get opportunities, but there is little confidence in their ability to improve the position.