Can the Orioles Save Their Season? A Make-or-Break Two Weeks Await
The Baltimore Orioles enter a pivotal two-week stretch with a renewed sense of momentum after salvaging a split in their rain-soaked four-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Winning the final two games, including a 5-1 victory on Sunday, marked just the second time this season that Baltimore has won back-to-back games, the previous instance coming in late April and early May against the Yankees and Royals. This recent success, though modest, comes at a crucial juncture for a team that has struggled to find consistency, winning just three of their previous 12 games before the Boston series. The Orioles now return home to Camden Yards, where they hope to capitalize on this momentum and begin climbing back into the playoff hunt.
This important stretch begins on Memorial Day with an interleague matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, marking Baltimore’s first home game since the dismissal of former manager Brandon Hyde due to the team’s disappointing start. Interim manager Tony Mansolino now leads the team into a six-game homestand that also includes a weekend series against the struggling Chicago White Sox. After that, the Orioles will embark on a challenging West Coast road trip to face the Seattle Mariners and the Athletics, who are now based in Sacramento. The schedule presents a mix of opportunities and challenges: while the Cardinals and Mariners are formidable opponents, both the White Sox and Athletics have sub-.500 records, offering Baltimore a chance to rack up some much-needed wins before tougher matchups loom closer to the 2025 MLB All-Star Break in mid-July.
For the Orioles, these next two weeks could indeed be make-or-break. Interim manager Tony Mansolino has emphasized the importance of getting back to .500 as a short-term goal, a necessary springboard for a late-season push. He’s acknowledged that the team must capitalize on matchups against weaker opponents if they hope to remain relevant in the playoff race. Success during this stretch will require Baltimore to sustain the balanced offense and improved pitching that powered their recent victories, while avoiding the costly lapses that have plagued them throughout the season. If the Orioles can emerge from this run with a winning record and renewed confidence, they may yet salvage their season; if not, the window to turn things around will grow much dimmer as the dog days of summer arrive.
