When should the Orioles focus on 2026? | MAILBAG

Question: At what point do the Orioles consider the season lost and we should just watch developmental games without expectations? From: Les Diver

Answer: Les, I don’t think the Orioles are close to that point. There are still more than six weeks until the trade deadline. If the Orioles haven’t gotten to .500 by then, then I think there will be several trades, and it will be obvious that the team is looking to 2026. If they don’t make much progress in the standings in six weeks, then you can look at August and September as a preview of 2026.

Question: Why are some relief pitchers credited with a hold when a lead is not surrendered while others are not?  From: Steve Inge

Answer: Holds are awarded when a relief pitcher enters the game in a save situation and maintains his team’s lead for the next relief pitcher, while recording at least one out.

The reliever must inherit a lead of three runs or fewer, maintain the lead and record at least one out. Or, if the reliever enters the game with the tying run on deck, at the plate or on the bases and records at least an out.

I’ve never heard anyone in baseball, player, manager or executive refer to holds. It seems like it’s purely statistical with no cache.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.