Orioles’ hot streak is great, but there’s concern about Basallo, Rutschman

The Orioles’ upcoming series with the Boston Red Sox, which begins Monday night at Fenway Park, is the season’s most intriguing one, and could be one of their most important.

Suddenly, the Orioles are hot. They’ve won seven straight for the first time since September 2023, and they’re playing the Red Sox, winners of 13 straight, their longest streak since July 1948.

The Orioles are 49-51, the first time they’ve been two games below .500 since June 5^th. They haven’t been just one game below .500 since April 30^th.

Along with the Minnesota Twins, who are also 49-51, the Orioles trail the Red Sox by two games for the third and final wild-card spot. Seattle is a game behind Boston.

After the Orioles’ second straight series sweep, they’ll start Shane Baz (4-9, 4.19) against Payton Tolle (5-6, 3.11). On Tuesday, Kyle Bradish, who signed a five-year, $90 million extension on Saturday, will start for the Orioles. Boston hasn’t decided on its starter.

Dean Kremer (1-2, 4.15) and Jake Bennett (5-3, 2.35) are scheduled to start Wednesday.

While the Orioles are happy about their pitching, they are concerned about their catchers. Adley Rutschman didn’t play on Sunday, and after the game, manager Craig Albernaz told reporters in Houston that Rutschman had left wrist discomfort.

“We wanted to avoid him today, was unavailable,” Albernaz said.

Samuel Basallo left the game after he grounded out to first base in the second inning with right shoulder discomfort.

“It’s just been a lingering thing and then obviously it was aggravated,” Albernaz said.

Albernaz did not elaborate on either injury.

Just before the game, the Orioles purchased the contract of catcher Sam Huff from Triple-A Norfolk. It’s the third time that Huff has joined the team this season, and he caught Brandon Young for six innings.

“Huffy did an outstanding job of coming in in the second inning and navigating that game,” Albernaz said. “It speaks to how well he’s prepared and what he can bring behind the plate.”

The Orioles made room for Huff on the roster by optioning right-hander Cam Sanders, who was the winning pitcher in Friday night’s game and registered a save in Saturday’s was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

If either Basallo or Rutschman goes on the injured list, then Sanders, who wasn’t going to pitch in three consecutive games, can be recalled.

Huff is a competent backup catcher, and if both Basallo and Rutschman need to go on the IL, the Orioles can add Chadwick Tromp, who played in a game on June 27^th. Tromp passed through waivers and after declaring for free agency, re-signed with the team. He’s back with Norfolk.

Sunday’s game featured Brandon Young picking up his team-leading eighth win. Young’s 3.25 ERA is the lowest among starters.

Four Orioles were hit by pitches, tying a team record — Taylor Ward, Pete Alonso, Dylan Beavers and Gunnar Henderson.

Alonso and Henderson pulled off a double steal. Henderson’s steal of home was the Orioles’ first since Ryan Mountcastle’s on August 14^th, 2025.

Coby Mayo hit his 13^th home run to right field in the sixth.

The Orioles swept the series despite scoring just 12 runs on 16 hits.

With Sanders, Andrew Kittredge and Tyler Wells unavailable because they had pitched on consecutive games, Albernaz called on Grant Wolfram, who pitched a spotless ninth inning for his first career save.

Wolfram was the ninth Oriole to record a save this season. Their closer, Ryan Helsley, was moved from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list to make room for Huff on Sunday. Helsley, who has right elbow discomfort, is now ineligible to pitch until August 29^th.

The Orioles have nine players on the injured list. Eight are on the 60-day list: Helsley; reliever Keegan Akin, who had Tommy John surgery on Wednesday; relievers Colin Selby and Félix Bautista; starters Chris Bassitt and Zach Eflin; first baseman/designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle; and third baseman Jordan Westburg.

Eflin and Westburg both had Tommy John surgery, ending their seasons. Bassitt had back surgery and has begun throwing. Like Bassitt, Mountcastle’s return is uncertain because of a broken left foot he suffered running the bases in April.

The Orioles hope to have Bautista, who had labrum and rotator cuff surgery last August, back late this season.

Blaze Alexander is the only player on the 10-day injured list. His return from a fractured left hand is uncertain.

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