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Lost amid the Boston Red Sox’s historic win streak was the fact that the Orioles had a nice streak of their own going.
Having won seven straight games entering the week, Baltimore looked like it might not be dead quite yet.
The Orioles’ effort to get back into the American League playoff race hit another snag Wednesday when backup catcher Samuel Basallo was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Basallo’s injury came just two days after starting catcher Adley Rutschman went to the IL himself with inflammation in his catching wrist.
Just like that, the Red Sox’s victory in their series opener wasn’t the only thing raining on the Orioles’ parade.
Basallo and Rutschman have been constant presences in Baltimore’s lineup. When one or the other isn’t behind the dish, he’s at designated hitter, as both are capable hitters. Rutschman has compiled 1.7 WAR with a 113 OPS+ while Basallo has 1.5 WAR with a 109 OPS+.
In other words, both will be sorely missed in the Orioles’ quest to move back into the postseason picture. Despite their recent streak, they still entered Wednesday in fourth place in the AL East and fighting to stay within shouting distance of an AL Wild Card spot. They’ve received solid production from Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, but have been outscored as a whole on the season.
The Orioles’ youth movement of the latest several seasons hasn’t borne fruit. Gunnar Henderson has been as advertised since making his MLB debut in 2022, but former uber-prospect Jackson Holliday has been either middling or injured, and once-budding slugger Ryan Mountcastle hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
Basallo, 21, represents the franchise’s hope to restart that process, so his shoulder carries an extra heavy load as he looks to recuperate.
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