The Baltimore Orioles have not won a postseason game in the past two years, following a surprising playoff appearance in 2023 and a disappointing 2024 season that fell short of expectations.
The team has not won a game in October since sweeping the Detroit Tigers in the 2014 American League Division Series. However, the current roster remains focused on their goals and is not letting the past decade of struggles hinder their ambitions.
In an interview with Jake Rill of MLB.com on Saturday, Baltimore ace Zach Eflin made it clear what the team is aiming for this season.
“Our goal is to win the World Series,” Eflin stated.
This aligns with the talent within the Orioles’ clubhouse, despite critics pointing to an offseason that may not have been aggressive enough for a team contending for a title.
The Orioles feature a strong lineup, led by MVP contender Gunnar Henderson and arguably the best catcher in baseball, Adley Rutschman. Young players like Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, and Jordan Westburg are poised to become key contributors, while veterans like Cedric Mullins, Tyler O’Neill, and Ryan O’Hearn bring depth and versatility to the offense.
Eflin had a tough 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays but looked like an ace after being traded to the Orioles, posting a 2.60 ERA over nine starts with Baltimore. He’s joined in the rotation by Dean Kremer and two key additions: two-time World Series champion Charlie Morton and Japanese veteran Tomoyuki Sugano, both of whom have had strong spring training performances.
The return of closer Felix Bautista will restore the Orioles’ bullpen, which struggled in his absence during 2024, and put them back among the best in the league.
With a mix of emerging talent and experienced veterans, the Orioles are poised for success. Additionally, the American League is in a down year, with the New York Yankees hit hard by injuries and the Houston Astros facing key departures from their roster.
Given the struggles of the usual AL powerhouses, the door is open for a new contender to rise and make a World Series run, much like the Texas Rangers did in 2023, having knocked out the Orioles along the way.
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