defeat and a series sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Orioles now sit at 3–6 on the young 2026 season. While it’s still April, the warning signs are already flashing: poor pitching, inconsistent offense, and defensive lapses that continue to pile up.

Chris Bassitt’s early struggles raise concern

All eyes were on Chris Bassitt, who was expected to stabilize a taxed pitching staff. Instead, his outing quickly unraveled—and may have deepened concerns about the Orioles’ offseason pitching decisions.

Bassitt lasted just two innings, allowing six earned runs on six hits, with two walks and a hit batter. He threw only 32 strikes out of 62 pitches and failed to record a single strikeout. Through two starts, his ERA has ballooned to 14.21—an alarming figure, even this early in the season.

From the first inning, it was clear he lacked command. A hit-by-pitch, multiple walks, and a costly home run set the tone. By the second inning, things completely fell apart, as the Pirates capitalized on free passes and defensive miscues to break the game open.

Familiar problems: defense and discipline

The Orioles’ issues weren’t limited to pitching. Defensive mistakes once again played a role, including a fundamental error at first base that extended an already damaging inning. These lapses continue a troubling trend from last season—one that the team has yet to correct.

Meanwhile, the offense showed little urgency. Against Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft, Baltimore struggled to generate momentum, allowing him to rack up a career-high eight strikeouts. The lineup didn’t produce a run until the fourth inning and never mounted a serious comeback threat.

Missed opportunities and quiet bats

There were brief flashes—extra-base hits from key hitters and a late RBI—but nothing sustained. The Orioles’ lineup has now developed a pattern of going quiet for long stretches, putting even more pressure on a pitching staff that is already struggling to hold games together.

Against a Pirates team not widely expected to dominate, this series exposed deeper issues. Baltimore didn’t just lose—they were outplayed in every phase.

Manager frustration boiling over

Even manager Craig Albernaz couldn’t contain the frustration. He was ejected early in the game after arguing with umpire James Jean over a disputed call. While the moment itself may have seemed minor, it reflected the growing tension surrounding the team’s poor start.

One small bright spot

If there was any positive, it came from Cade Povich, who provided valuable long relief. Covering nearly six innings, he helped preserve the bullpen for the upcoming series. While not dominant, his effort prevented further damage and gave the team at least some stability on the mound.

Early season, real concerns

At 3–6, the Orioles are not out of contention—but the issues feel deeper than just a rough stretch. The rotation is shaky, the defense remains unreliable, and the offense lacks consistency. These are not new problems—they’re carryovers from last season that have yet to be addressed.

The upcoming matchup against the Chicago White Sox now carries added importance. Another poor showing could push the Orioles further behind in an already competitive American League landscape.

Final outlook

It’s still early—but not that early. Good teams can survive slow starts, but only if the underlying issues are fixable. Right now, the Orioles don’t just look cold—they look incomplete.

If they don’t find answers soon, 2026 risks becoming less about contention and more about catching up… yet again.