O's enter 2nd half with uphill battle, but momentum in mind

BALTIMORE -- The first half of the Orioles’ 2025 season didn’t go as expected, as a slow start led to the May 17 dismissal of manager Brandon Hyde and a 43-52 record at the All-Star break.

How can Baltimore turn it around from here?

“I don't think it's one thing,” infielder Jordan Westburg said. “Honestly, I feel like we’ve played really good baseball the last month. We’ve had one of the better teams over the last month. I think the record probably indicates that. We're very capable of playing good baseball.

“How it changes? Who knows. Things can happen fast. It’s not on the guys in the clubhouse to look that far into the future. I think for us, it's taking it one day at a time. So that first day, Friday after the break, I think our job as players is to focus on winning that game, going 1-0 to start, and then just seeing what happens from there.”

Westburg is right: The O’s have shown improvement since the start of June (22-16), but they would need to play at an even better pace to make an improbable run to the postseason.

One second-half goal: Build momentum toward 2026

The first half didn’t go anywhere close to planned for the O’s. They often struggled to build positive momentum, as it felt like every time they took a step forward, it was immediately followed by at least one step back.

Baltimore is committed to getting back to contention in 2026, so it would be helpful if the club could play more to its potential throughout the second half. For that to happen, the core players must get hot.

Likely Trade Deadline strategy: Probable seller

There isn’t much the O’s can do to prevent a sale at this point. They’re in a tough spot, as it would take a two-week tear to have them in a potential buying position by July 31.

Instead, the club is more likely to deal away players on expiring contracts -- such as All-Star designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, center fielder Cedric Mullins and a handful of pitchers -- to get a return for them before retooling the roster for 2026.

Key player: RHP Kyle Bradish

The Orioles’ rotation could finally be getting a massive boost in the form of Bradish, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024. The 28-year-old right-hander has been facing live hitters in Sarasota, Fla., and is nearing a rehab assignment.

It would be great for Baltimore if Bradish can get in a handful of starts and look close to his ‘23 form -- when he finished fourth in American League Cy Young Award voting -- to build momentum toward ‘26.

Prospect to watch: C/1B Samuel Basallo (O’s No. 1, No. 10 overall)

Even though the O’s placed four catchers on the injured list during late June/early July, Basallo remained at Triple-A Norfolk with the organization focused on the 20-year-old’s long-term development. But he may not be there much longer.

The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native hit 19 home runs over 62 games in the first half and got needed reps behind the plate. Basallo should arrive in the big leagues before the end of 2025.

Second-half schedule

Here’s a breakdown of what’s still to come for the Orioles:

• Games remaining: 67 (Home, 34; Away, 33)
• Remaining strength of schedule: .515, fourth in MLB, second in AL, second in AL East
• Key series:
  • July 18-24: Seven-game road trip to Tampa and Cleveland. This could be the last chance for O’s to prove they shouldn’t sell at Trade Deadline.
  • Aug. 1-3: Three-game series vs. Cubs in Chicago. Baltimore’s roster could look a bit different coming out of the July 31 Deadline.
  • Sept. 5-7: Three-game home series vs. Dodgers. The Orioles will celebrate the 20-year anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr. playing his record-breaking 2,131st consecutive game on Sept. 6.