Orioles' ranking plummets as run differential hits alarming new low

Orioles' ranking plummets as run differential hits alarming new low originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After drumming up some momentum over the offseason, the Baltimore Orioles had a fine start to the season. They were able to fill some holes over the winter, looking to get over a miserable 2025 season.

However, they have taken a step back from their solid start and are currently searching for answers. The offense has not been as good as some had hoped, and the rotation isn't doing the team any favors, either.

They now sit with an 18-23 record, which barely gives them the edge over the Boston Red Sox to stay out of last place in the American League East.

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Orioles' ranking plummets as run differential hits alarming new low

Baltimore is coming off a week where they were tested. They lost the final game in their four-game series against the New York Yankees on Monday before going 2-1 against the Miami Marlins and then 1-2 against the Athletics.

Now, it could have been worse, but what they did over the week did not help them move up the latest power rankings. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes No. 24 suits them well.

"The Orioles have the worst run differential in the AL, and second-worst in baseball behind only the San Francisco Giants. After a 9-7 start to the year, they are 9-16 in their last 25 games and trending down."

One big reason for the Orioles' downfall is their poor run differential of -41. To put things into perspective, the Atlanta Braves have the best run differential with a +87.

The Orioles need to figure out ways to push runs across the board while limiting the opposing team's offense. If they can't figure this out, it's going to be another long season for Baltimore fans as they watch their team be eliminated from postseason contention early.