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This Orioles' success story is making Mets' early-season struggles even worse

Salt in the wound.
Mar 30, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rico Garcia (50) celebrates during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Mar 30, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rico Garcia (50) celebrates during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

The New York Mets have a lot of issues right now. They've lost 11 games in a row, and to make matters even worse, the Baltimore Orioles scooped up a former Mets reliever last season who now appears to be a dominant force in their bullpen. Rico Garcia has yet to allow a run this season for Baltimore which has to rub salt in the wound for Mets fans.

The Mets designated Garcia for assignment last season and the Orioles wasted no time picking him up. In 2025 with the O's, he had a 2.84 ERA in 19 innings pitched.

So far in 2026, Garcia is proving that performance was far from an aberration. He's owns a 0.00 ERA and has struck out 11 batters while walking just four over 11 innings pitches. Remarkably, he has yet to even allow a hit on the season.

Mets can't like seeing what Rico Garcia is doing for the Orioles

Garcia has been a remarkable success story for Baltimore. He bounced around from team to team from 2019 to 2023 but never stuck anywhere. He features a four-pitch mix with a fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball.

The early numbers probably are not sustainable, but as long as he continues to pitch well his standing among Baltimore's pecking order will only get better. He's already recorded a save on the year and has been featured more in the seventh and eighth inning, meaning manager Craig Albernaz is clearly trusting him more and more.

As if Garcia's success with the Orioles wasn't bad enough, he's not the only former Mets reliever thriving with Baltimore. Ryan Helsley, who was simply atrocious after the Mets acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals last season, is looking like his former self this season. He has a 1.93 ERA in 10 appearances and already has six saves on the young season.

Meanwhile, New York's big free-agent bullpen addition Devin Williams has a 7.11 ERA in seven appearances on the year. The Mets have bigger problems to worry about than former players doing well, but it certainly can't help to look over at Baltimore from that dumpster fire in New York and see what's going on in the bullpen.

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