Orioles embracing the role of spoiler could have major implications for 2026 plans

The Baltimore Orioles weren't planning on being here when the 2025 season kicked off. Instead of being AL East cellar dwellers, the club thought it would find itself in the thick of the playoff race, just as it had in 2023 and 2024.

Yet a season of disappointments was what was in store for the young club. From organizational failings like not building an adequate starting rotation to injuries to key players to having to face some harsh realities regarding once-promising prospects, to say things have not gone the O's way would be an understatement.

That's why, after such a disappointing season, it would be easy to pack it in and roll over down the September stretch. Players could easily get distracted thinking about offseason golf destinations, where they may be employed next season, or whether they'll end up residing on the big league roster or toiling down in the minors.

However, the team is doing the exact opposite of that, and their recent run against NL juggernauts shows they're embracing the role of spoiler, which could have major implications for bringing their 2026 aspirations to life.

Orioles embracing the role of spoiler down the stretch will help fuel a return to contention in 2026

After sweeping every Oriole fan's second-favorite team, the San Diego Padres, the Orioles traveled back home looking to do the same against the reigning World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. While Baltimore couldn't pull off the sweep, they continued to play the role of spoiler against the West Coast juggernaut by taking two out of three.

It wasn't just the fact that Baltimore came out on top, but rather how they did it. After a dramatic walk-off homer from their latest phenom, Samuel Basallo, on Friday night, the Orioles did the unthinkable. On Saturday, with ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound and dealing, it looked as if the Orioles were in from some misery.

The Dodgers' right-hander carved up the Birds like a Thanksgiving Turkey, until he was one out away from a no-hitter. Jackson Holliday spoiled the no-no bid with a solo shot, and then, with Yamamoto out of the game, the offense came alive to score three more runs and come away victorious by a score of 4-3.

Teams this far out of it aren't supposed to walk off a World Series favorite twice. They aren't supposed to sweep one of the NL's fiercest clubs in the Padres either, yet they did just that. Now, they have a chance to continue to play spoiler down the stretch in their own division, with three games remaining against the Toronto Blue Jays, and a whopping seven remaining against the New York Yankees, including a three-game set to close the regular season.

Mike Elias believes that Baltimore can return to contention in 2026. In order to make that happen, a lot of external help is needed. However, internal growth will be just as integral. Not only are the players auditioning for their future with the club, but dramatic wins like those against the Dodgers will serve as valuable teaching lessons for youngsters like Holliday, Basallo, and others, as they grow as professionals and learn what it truly means to compete.

The Baltimore Orioles have definitely had more than their fair share of disappointments this season, and now they're taking out that frustration by raining on other teams' parades, which is more important than it sounds.

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