Sometimes you have to wonder if Shane Baz of the Baltimore Orioles is snakebitten. Tonight was a typical start for him in 2026. In short, he needed to be absolutely perfect. And he was – minus one pitch. Baz’s line: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K.
Those are outstanding numbers. An OUTSTANDING stat line for a game. Any pitcher in baseball would take that on any given day. Heck, any manager would take that for his pitcher. It’s NOT on Baz that the O’s couldn’t get anything going offensively.
Baz gave up a solo home run to Gasper on the second pitch of the game. That’s the only mistake he made. Solo home runs aren’t supposed to hurt you. Tonight they cost Shane Baz and the Orioles the game.
On top of that, Baz picked up his teammates. Boston put two on thanks to a Jackson Holliday error in the third, but Baz got them out of it. Anytime Boston threatened, Baz (and the bullpen) pitched out of it. He made a mistake on the second pitch of the game. And it cost him and the O’s the game.
You can’t under any circumstances blame a starter for a game like this. I’ve heard people suggest that there is some culpability because a starter like Baz knows he’s got a thin margin. But…is it reasonable to expect that he has to be perfect?
On a side note, I find it strange that Samuel Basallo wasn’t in the starting lineup for the second straight day. I understand matchups, and why that’s important. But Basallo’s been a huge part of this team’s offense. They signed him to a large extension a year ago. And…the best place for him is starting a game on the bench?
The series continues tomorrow at Camden Yards. Chris Bassitt gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Sonny Gray. Game time is set for just after 7 PM.
Birdland Crush 