The Baltimore Orioles enter their March 28, 2025 contest against the Toronto Blue Jays coming off one of their most promising seasons in recent history, having finished 2024 in second place in the AL East with a record of 94-68 and establishing themselves as one of the league’s most well-rounded and balanced young teams, combining explosive offensive power, strong starting pitching, and a deep bullpen to create a roster capable of competing with the best in baseball. Leading the offensive charge is slugging outfielder Anthony Santander, who emerged as a true middle-of-the-order threat last year by belting 44 home runs and driving in 102 RBIs, displaying impressive plate discipline and clutch-hitting ability that often flipped games in Baltimore’s favor. Alongside him is Gunnar Henderson, the breakout infielder who hit .281 and added 33 home runs of his own, offering elite bat speed and defensive versatility that make him one of the rising stars in the league and a future MVP candidate. Add to that the consistency of Adley Rutschman behind the plate, both as a switch-hitting offensive contributor and as one of the premier defensive catchers and pitch framers in the league, and Baltimore boasts a core that rivals any in the American League. The lineup is further complemented by speedsters like Cedric Mullins and Jordan Westburg, who provide athleticism on the basepaths and in the field, turning the Orioles into a multidimensional offensive attack that can manufacture runs just as effectively as they can go deep.

On the mound, the Orioles made a major move in the offseason by acquiring veteran right-hander Charlie Morton to bolster an already solid rotation that includes Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, and John Means—all capable starters who can limit damage, pitch deep into games, and keep the bullpen fresh for critical late-game situations. Morton, now entering his 18th season, brings postseason pedigree and leadership to a relatively young rotation, and after a strong spring showing with three scoreless innings against Tampa Bay, the Orioles are confident he can set the tone early in the season. The bullpen, anchored by closer Félix Bautista, remains a major strength, with multiple setup options that manager Brandon Hyde can deploy depending on matchups and leverage. Defensively, the Orioles are among the most efficient teams in the league, thanks in large part to their commitment to analytics-driven positioning and the defensive range of players like Henderson, Mullins, and Ramón Urías. Entering this early-season matchup in Toronto, the Orioles are looking to establish themselves as the team to beat in the AL East and to set the tone against a Blue Jays squad eager to climb back into contention. Baltimore’s game plan will focus on disciplined at-bats, smart baserunning, and quality pitching from Morton to silence the Toronto bats and extend their dominance within the division. With their roster nearly intact from last year’s playoff push and a full season of experience now under their belt, the Orioles are not only eyeing a strong start—they’re gunning for a deep postseason run and see games like this one as building blocks on that path.