What now? A day after trading away three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman, and making three other sells at the MLB trade deadline, the Orioles (54-58) open a three-game home series Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels (43-69) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Is everybody just supposed to move on as if nothing happened? Hardly. Orioles GM Mike Elias told reporters on Monday night - after trading away Rutschman, outfielder Taylor Ward, reliever Tyler Wells, and starting pitcher Dean Kremer - that these 2026 Orioles can still make the playoffs. Sure, they can. But thoughts right now around Baltimore are what it's all for. Rutschman was the face of a yearslong rebuild, and it got to the point where he was expendable with the club staring down a second straight sub-.500 season.
The Orioles dropped an 8-0 decision to Philadelphia on Monday, managing little against the Phillies' staff in a rain delayed and warped game. Kyle Bradish lasted three innings before a long weather delay, allowing two earned runs while striking out three before the bullpen took over and the damage mounted. Albert Suárez surrendered three earned runs in a single inning. Offensively, Baltimore managed only scattered singles, with Taylor Ward, Dylan Beavers, Jake Rogers, and Pete Alonso each collecting one hit. (Two of those guys aren't on the team anymore in Ward and Rogers, who also went to Boston in the Rutschman deal.)
The Angels sit near the bottom of the American League West and arrive in Baltimore in miserable form, winning two of their last ten. Los Angeles sends a familiar name and face, right-hander Grayson Rodriguez -- the former Orioles' draft choice. traded to the Angels in the offseason -- to the mound with a 3-3 record and a 7.98 ERA.
Baltimore has yet to name a starter for Tuesday, but it could be Cade Povich, who is on the 40-man roster and started about two dozen games in 2025. Watch how the Orioles to see if they have any fire left. They're just 2.5 games out of the final AL wild-card spot, but Elias' moves at the deadline did not help their postseason chances.
Probable Starters
Los Angeles Angels: RHP Grayson Rodriguez (3-3, 7.98 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles: TBD (likely Cade Povich)
Where to Watch/Listen
First pitch: 6:35 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Weather: 86°F, Clear
TV: MASN
Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL NewsRadio (AM 1090 / FM 101.5)