The Baltimore Orioles return to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals hoping to salvage a game in what has been a frustrating and disjointed 2025 campaign, marked by a 19–35 record that reflects their ongoing struggles in virtually every phase of the game. Once viewed as a young team on the rise, the Orioles have been mired in inconsistency and underperformance, particularly on the mound, where their pitching staff has failed to provide stability or confidence. With a team ERA of 5.52, among the worst in Major League Baseball, the rotation has struggled to pitch beyond the fifth inning, often surrendering early leads and putting excessive pressure on a bullpen that has been unable to hold back opposing offenses. This lack of pitching depth has frequently erased any momentum the offense tries to build, with the Orioles regularly playing from behind and forced into high-risk decisions just to stay competitive. Offensively, the team has received sporadic production from a few bright spots, with Cedric Mullins continuing to contribute at the top of the lineup with his blend of power and speed, and occasional help from young hitters like Colton Cowser or Jordan Westburg when healthy, but these performances have been overshadowed by the lineup’s overall inability to drive in runs when it matters most.

The Orioles’ .231 team batting average and struggles with runners in scoring position have made it difficult to sustain rallies or apply pressure in tight games, while defensive miscues have further limited their ability to control innings and manage pace. Manager Brandon Hyde has experimented with various lineup adjustments and bullpen strategies, but the lack of execution and consistency has left the Orioles chasing games instead of setting the tone, especially against playoff-caliber opponents like the Cardinals. From a betting and performance standpoint, Baltimore has failed to cover spreads consistently, going 21–33 ATS and winning just 39.1% of their games when listed as underdogs—evidence that they not only lose more often than not but also fail to meet even modest expectations in the market. Despite playing at home, where they’ve struggled to build momentum or leverage crowd support, the Orioles face an uphill battle against a disciplined and efficient Cardinals team that thrives in close games and doesn’t beat itself. For Baltimore to end the series on a positive note, they’ll need a strong start on the mound to limit early damage, improved plate discipline to extend innings, and error-free defense to support what’s been a fragile pitching staff. A win wouldn’t erase the challenges of the season, but it could offer a much-needed morale boost for a clubhouse searching for anything positive to build on. With the calendar nearing June, the pressure is mounting to stop the slide, reestablish fundamentals, and rediscover some of the spark that defined their more hopeful seasons in recent years. Wednesday’s finale is an opportunity to reset the tone, even if just for one day.