Here are the most important stretches of Orioles 2026 schedule and why they matter

Now that every team plays every team over the course of the MLB season, strength of schedule is not as big a factor in determining which teams have an advantage in making the playoffs. However, the order in which each matchup falls can still have a major impact on how the season plays out. The Baltimore Orioles have a few key stretches in their schedule that will determine whether their season is successful.

Here are the stretches of the Orioles' 2026 schedule that could serve as breaking points for their season

Mar 26 - April 22

The Orioles were gifted a soft start to their schedule. If they can take advantage of it, they'll be well-positioned to compete for the division; on the flip side, if they fumble it, they'll face an uphill battle to make the playoffs.

The Orioles start the season with 18 straight games against teams that did not make the playoffs last year and 31 straight games without playing a team that won 90 games in 2025. That's not a perfect way to measure the strength of schedule, but it paints a pretty good picture of the opportunity the Orioles have to get off to a fast start. On top of the schedule being light, it's also frontloaded with off days, so the Orioles will have the rest advantage in most of their April matchups.

May 28 - June 21

During this section of the schedule, the bill comes due for the Orioles' soft start to the season, and they play 23 straight games against 2025 playoff teams in a series against the defending AL and NL champions. This part of the schedule will be the Orioles' toughest test. On top of the schedule being hard, they also play 26 games in 29 days, so their rotation and bullpen depth will be put to the test.

Aug 4 - Aug 17

Sometimes, when you play a team matters, and that is especially true when looking at who the Orioles have directly following the trade deadline. Obviously, a lot could change between now and then, so there's no guarantee that these teams will be sellers, but right after the trade deadline, the Orioles play 13 straight games against the Angels, Rangers, Twins, and Rays. If the season goes the way most projection systems think it will, all of those teams should sell at the deadline and be especially vulnerable and demoralized right when the Orioles come to town.

Sep 3 - Sep 27

The Orioles end the season with 22 games in a row against teams with winning records in 2025. This is the stretch of the schedule furthest from today, so it's possible this could end up being not very competitive, especially if any of these teams have already locked up their divisions by the time the Orioles face them. That's possible, but most likely the Orioles will have a murderers row to finish off the season.