Baltimore Orioles

The massive deadline teardown looks a year later to have been plenty worth it for the Orioles. The players acquired this time last year added quality and depth to their farm system.

Boston finally took the lead for good in their 6-5 victory when Caleb Durbin walloped a solo homer off right-hander Tyler Wells in the eighth inning.

Baltimore announced Rutschman’s trip to the injured list Monday, a few hours before the club begins a critical series against the red-hot Red Sox.

For the first time in a long time, it feels as if the Orioles are firmly heading in the right direction.

“If you want to go to college and chase a career, I’m in full support of that,” the Orioles’ Chris Bassitt said. “But the reality of why this is going in place is nothing to do with that.”

Baltimore is riding a seven-game win streak.

Rutschman is batting .251 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs in 67 games this season. He was named to his third American League All-Star team.

Brandon Young (8-2) allowed five hits and one walk while striking out seven in seven innings.

Baltimore’s winning streak is its longest since May 30-June 5, 2025.

“We have believed strongly in Kyle since he first joined the organization as a minor leaguer in 2019,” president of baseball operations Mike Elias said in a statement.

The Orioles’ bullpen pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only two hits, in the series opener at Houston.

The clustered American League playoff race almost ensures the Orioles are going to play meaningful baseball into September, and it’s up to them to take advantage of that.

Since 1995, 22 players have made at least 1,000 major league plate appearances by the end of their age 22 seasons.

Assuming no games are impacted because of the prolonged negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, the Orioles would begin the season on the road.

"It’s just a special, special moment to be embraced. Love Bake,” Rutschman said. “And to be able to catch him again is awesome.”

On Dec. 1, the current collective bargaining agreement will expire, and a lockout is expected to ensue.

Cody Bellinger hit a two-run single and Ben Rice followed with an RBI single in the first against Cristopher Sánchez of the host Philadelphia Phillies.

Rutschman said he did not know if his agent and the Orioles have had talks around a new contract.

Rutschman finished last season with a .220 average and .673 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in a career-low 90 games. During the first half this year, Rutschman is hitting .253 with a .763 OPS. A trip to Philadelphia was his reward.

Look at all the big trades and big contracts the Orioles have handed out. Look at all the high school draftees they’re about to sign. There’s a risk tolerance here that we haven’t seen before.