Can a Managerial Change Rescue the Orioles Season?
Is it time for a managerial change with the Baltimore Orioles? That’s the question gaining more and more traction in recent weeks, as Baltimore’s prolonged slump, beginning in the second half of 2024, has shown no signs of stopping through the first month of the 2025 season. After a strong start last year, the Orioles faded badly, finishing the 2024 regular season with a 33–33 record after the MLB All-Star Break and suffering a quick postseason exit at the hands of the Kansas City Royals in the AL Wild Card Round. The offseason brought little relief, with the loss of ace Corbin Burnes in free agency and a failure to adequately reinforce the rotation, leaving them exposed when injuries inevitably struck.
The state of the Orioles’ pitching has been a glaring weakness, with Baltimore carrying the league’s worst team ERA at 5.48. The rotation has been decimated by injuries, sidelining key starters such as Grayson Rodriguez, Zach Eflin, and Kyle Bradish, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent last year. The lack of depth has left the staff unable to keep the team competitive, as evidenced by recent blowout losses, including a 24–2 defeat against the Reds and a 7–0 shutout loss on Tuesday night against the Nationals to open the Battle of the Beltway Series. The bullpen has been unable to stem the tide, and the rotation’s struggles have put even more pressure on an already faltering offense.
Offensively, the Orioles have been unable to generate consistent run production, repeatedly failing to string together strong performances in back-to-back games. The shutout loss to the Nationals, where Baltimore managed just one hit, was a microcosm of their season-long issues at the plate. Most of the lineup has failed to find a rhythm, with only veteran outfielder Cedric Mullins, Ryan O’Hearn, and Ramón Urías carrying batting averages over .250. Highly touted young stars such as Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, and Jordan Westburg have each struggled, combining for a .202 average that has significantly contributed to the team’s offensive futility.
With 140 games left in the regular season, the question remains: would an in-season managerial change spark a turnaround? Manager Brandon Hyde has been credited with guiding Baltimore’s resurgence following several 100-loss seasons during their rebuild; however, critics argue that he has failed to motivate or focus the current roster during its prolonged slump. While some of the Orioles’ issues are undeniably tied to injuries and roster construction, the lack of urgency and cohesion on the field has led to growing calls for a change at the helm. Whether a new voice in the dugout could ignite this talented but underperforming roster remains to be seen, but with the season potentially slipping away, the Orioles’ leadership faces mounting pressure to act before it’s too late.
