Three Encouraging Trends That Could Fuel the Orioles’ Push Toward the 2026 MLB Playoffs

The Baltimore Orioles may still be sitting below .500, but there are plenty of reasons for optimism as the calendar turns to June.

While a 13-16 record in May hardly qualifies as dominant, the Orioles finished the month on a high note, winning seven of their final 10 games and positioning themselves firmly within striking distance of an American League Wild Card spot. Considering the struggles they endured earlier this season, Baltimore’s recent progress has significantly changed the outlook surrounding the club.

At 28-32, the Orioles remain a work in progress. However, several important developments throughout May suggest this team has the potential to make a legitimate postseason run if current trends continue.

From the emergence of young stars to the resurgence of key starting pitchers, Baltimore is beginning to resemble the team many expected to see entering the season.

Here are three major trends that could help propel the Orioles back into playoff contention.

1. Young Offensive Stars Are Beginning to Break Out

Perhaps the most encouraging development for Baltimore has been the improvement shown by several young position players.

Early in the season, much of the Orioles’ lineup struggled to find consistency. Highly regarded prospects and young contributors were unable to establish themselves, creating concerns about the offense’s long-term outlook.

That narrative began to change dramatically in May.

Samuel Basallo Is Becoming a Star

Few players made a bigger leap than Samuel Basallo.

The young catcher entered the season carrying enormous expectations but initially looked like a talented 21-year-old adjusting to major league pitching. While flashes of potential were evident, consistency remained elusive during the first several weeks.

Everything changed in May.

Basallo emerged as one of the hottest hitters in baseball, posting elite offensive numbers while improving several key underlying metrics.

His ability to hit for both average and power transformed Baltimore’s lineup. More impressively, he reduced his strikeout and whiff rates while simultaneously becoming more aggressive at the plate.

The result was one of the most productive months by any Orioles hitter this season.

At times, Basallo looked less like a rookie and more like a future franchise cornerstone.

Coby Mayo Finally Finding Confidence

Third baseman Coby Mayo also showed encouraging signs after a difficult start to the season.

The talented infielder entered 2026 attempting to make adjustments both offensively and defensively. Learning to handle everyday responsibilities at third base while reducing strikeouts proved challenging during the opening month.

His early numbers reflected those struggles.

However, Mayo’s season appears to have turned following a difficult moment during a series in Miami. After committing a costly error, the young slugger responded with a much stronger and more confident approach at the plate.

Over the final weeks of May, Mayo demonstrated improved discipline, increased power production, and a more relaxed presence in the batter’s box.

His success against left-handed pitching has become particularly valuable, giving Baltimore another dangerous matchup weapon.

Colton Cowser Looks Like the Player Orioles Fans Expected

No young hitter may have benefited more from May than Colton Cowser.

For much of his career, opposing pitchers have exploited weaknesses against breaking balls and off-speed pitches. As a result, Cowser often struggled to consistently punish mistakes.

That changed significantly during May.

The talented outfielder improved his performance against breaking pitches, resulting in increased power production and more consistent offensive contributions.

His four home runs and 15 RBIs during the month helped stabilize the lineup, while several clutch performances energized both teammates and fans.

Most importantly, Cowser looked far more comfortable and confident than he did earlier in the season.

If this version of Cowser continues to show up, Baltimore’s lineup becomes much deeper and considerably more dangerous.

2. Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz Are Leading the Rotation Revival

For much of the season, the Orioles’ starting rotation appeared to be one of the biggest obstacles standing between the team and playoff contention.

That perception is beginning to change.

Kyle Bradish Has Re-Emerged as an Ace

Kyle Bradish has quietly become Baltimore’s most reliable starting pitcher.

After a rough start to May, the right-hander completely transformed his season with a dominant stretch that showcased why the Orioles view him as a key piece of their future.

His improved pitch mix has been a major factor.

Bradish has relied more heavily on his curveball, generating weak contact and significantly increasing his swing-and-miss numbers. Opposing hitters have struggled to solve the pitch, allowing him to work deeper into games and consistently limit damage.

Over his most recent starts, Bradish has performed like a true top-of-the-rotation arm.

For a team hoping to climb back into the playoff race, that type of production is invaluable.

Shane Baz Is Finally Reaching His Potential

Few pitchers on Baltimore’s roster possess the raw talent of Shane Baz.

The former top prospect has always featured electric stuff, but consistency remained an obstacle throughout various stages of his career.

In May, however, Baz looked like the pitcher many scouts envisioned.

He delivered multiple quality starts, including dominant performances against his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays. His ability to generate strikeouts while limiting hard contact has transformed him into one of Baltimore’s most effective starters.

Small adjustments to his pitch usage appear to be paying dividends, particularly with his breaking ball becoming increasingly difficult for hitters to handle.

If Baz continues pitching at this level, the Orioles suddenly have a formidable one-two punch at the top of the rotation.

3. Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman Are Unlikely to Stay Quiet

At first glance, the struggles of Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman might appear to be a negative trend.

In reality, they could be one of the biggest reasons for optimism moving forward.

Henderson’s Slow Start Should Not Last Forever

Henderson remains one of the most talented young shortstops in baseball.

Despite his disappointing offensive numbers in May, there is little reason to believe his current production accurately reflects his true talent level.

Players with Henderson’s track record typically find ways to adjust and recover.

A hot stretch from the Orioles’ franchise shortstop could dramatically elevate the offense.

Rutschman Is Too Good to Continue Struggling

The same logic applies to Adley Rutschman.

After beginning the season as one of Baltimore’s best hitters, the star catcher endured a difficult May that saw his production decline significantly.

However, Rutschman’s history suggests a rebound is likely.

Few catchers combine offensive ability, leadership, and consistency as effectively as he does. If he returns to his established level of performance, the Orioles’ lineup immediately becomes one of the strongest in the American League.

Final Thoughts

The Orioles remain an imperfect team, but May provided several reasons to believe better days are ahead.

Samuel Basallo, Coby Mayo, and Colton Cowser are beginning to deliver on their enormous potential. Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz are stabilizing the rotation. Most importantly, Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman still have plenty of room for improvement.

If those trends continue through the summer, Baltimore could quickly transform from a disappointing underachiever into a legitimate playoff contender.

The Orioles are far from finished, and the progress shown throughout May suggests their postseason hopes remain very much alive.