The Baltimore Orioles come into their March 29, 2025, matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre looking to build on the momentum of their breakout 2024 season, where they finished with a 91-71 record and returned to the postseason for the first time in years, signaling a new era of competitive baseball in Baltimore. While the offseason saw the departure of power-hitting outfielder Anthony Santander—who led the team with 44 home runs last season—the Orioles remain confident in their young, talented core that continues to mature into one of the most exciting groups in the American League. Leading the charge is third baseman Gunnar Henderson, who is coming off a sensational season in which he batted .281 with 37 home runs and 92 RBIs, earning All-Star recognition and establishing himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. Henderson is flanked by a deep lineup featuring Adley Rutschman, one of the best defensive and offensive catchers in the game, Cedric Mullins, a proven spark plug at the top of the order with elite baserunning and defensive range in center field, and Ryan Mountcastle, who provides right-handed power and clutch hitting in the middle of the lineup. The Orioles also boast one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, and their young roster is expected to get even better as players like Jackson Holliday and Heston Kjerstad begin to contribute at the major league level. On the mound, right-hander Zach Eflin is projected to start in this matchup after finishing the 2024 season with a 5-2 record, a 2.60 ERA, and a 1.12 WHIP across 55.1 innings pitched, showing excellent command and poise as he emerged as a reliable rotation piece.

Baltimore’s rotation is supported by an improved bullpen that includes flamethrower Félix Bautista, back from injury and ready to reclaim his closer role, as well as setup men like Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe, who provided consistent high-leverage innings last year. The Orioles’ pitching strategy emphasizes limiting walks and forcing weak contact, allowing their athletic defense to do the heavy lifting, and their offseason emphasis on situational pitching and defensive shifts is expected to pay dividends in 2025. Although the Orioles face a tough road opponent in Toronto—where they historically haven’t had great success, as evidenced by a 31-65 record at Rogers Centre in recent years—this version of the team is more resilient, better coached, and more balanced than past iterations. First-year manager Mike Napoli has preached aggression on the basepaths, plate discipline, and clubhouse unity, aiming to keep the young team focused and energized throughout the long season. Early-season wins are especially crucial in the highly competitive AL East, and the Orioles know that starting strong on the road can set the tone for another postseason push. If Eflin can keep Toronto’s big bats in check and the offense can capitalize on run-scoring opportunities against José Berríos, Baltimore will be in excellent position to take control of the series and reaffirm their status as one of the American League’s most dangerous rising teams.