Orioles’ Offense Stumbles as Playoff Push Intensifies
Once known for their explosive offense, the Orioles now find themselves caught in a troubling stretch of inconsistent performance. While they’ve managed occasional wins, the team has largely been dragged down by a series of losses that have put their postseason hopes in jeopardy. The pitching staff, especially the starting rotation, has continued to perform at a high level. However, it’s the offense—once a strength—that has gone silent at the most critical time of the season.
This decline in run production has added pressure on a roster that began the season with high expectations. The team is now at a crucial crossroads, needing to address its offensive issues if it hopes to stay in contention. The challenge lies in reversing this slump and finding a way to score consistently during the season’s most decisive weeks.
Veteran outfielder Cedric Mullins remains one of the few bright spots amid the struggles. He leads the team in OPS (.953) with runners in scoring position among those with 20 or more plate appearances, proving he can deliver in key moments even as the rest of the lineup falters. “It’s a matter of guys calming down and going. It can be that simple,” Mullins stated, suggesting that players might be pressing too hard at the plate.
One of the most glaring issues has been the Orioles’ inability to hit left-handed pitching. Their overall offensive numbers are lackluster, but the disparity between their performance against left- and right-handed pitchers is especially troubling. The team ranks near the bottom of the league in most key metrics, particularly in high-leverage situations.
In response, the coaching staff is reassessing their strategies, both for the short and long term. A major factor in their struggles appears to be the youth of the team. Many of the Orioles’ young players seem to be trying too hard in pressure moments, which can disrupt timing and lead to poor results. A mental reset may be necessary—simplifying their approach, trusting the process, and focusing on quality at-bats rather than heroics.
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that even he has felt the pressure to do too much in clutch situations. “Sometimes with runners in scoring position, I tend to try to do too much when you just need to dial it back,” he admitted.
Despite a recent victory over the Angels, which sparked some optimism among fans, the broader outlook remains uncertain. The Orioles have been especially poor with runners in scoring position this season, batting just .190 (48-for-252)—the worst mark in all of Major League Baseball.
This is a sharp contrast from the previous two seasons. In 2023, the Orioles led MLB with a .287 batting average and a .481 slugging percentage in scoring situations. Even in 2024, although there was some decline, they remained among the better teams in those moments. But in 2025, the drop has been dramatic and difficult to ignore.
Still, there’s reason for cautious optimism. The lineup, while young, is filled with promising talent. Players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Ryan Mountcastle all bring strong on-base skills and show flashes of elite potential. However, it’s clear that this group will need time to grow and mature.
Looking beyond the current season, the Orioles’ future remains bright. If these young stars can develop consistency and poise, the team could return to its offensive dominance. For now, though, the focus is on turning things around before it’s too late.