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Baltimore Orioles Player Voices Frustration After Loss to Blue Jays
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- Baltimore Orioles Player Voices Frustration After Loss to Blue Jays
(D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)
The Baltimore Orioles dropped Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays by a final score of 7-3, ending a two-game winning streak and setting them back once again in the AL wild card race.
Entering Sunday's slate of games they remain three full games back of the Cleveland Guardians for the final spot, with both the Texas Rangers and Blue Jays also ahead of them in the standings. If the Orioles had not gone on a six-game skid earlier this month they could potentially be in a much better position, but that stretch is costing them dearly now with time running out.
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With just 13 games remaining for Baltimore , every game is essentially must-win from here on out to give themselves the best chance of making the postseason . The players on the squad understand that reality clearly. After Saturday's loss, catcher Carlos Narvaez voiced his frustration and delivered a message that captured exactly what this moment means for this group.
"If we want to be in the playoffs, we're playing playoff games right now. Mentally gotta be, 'Win every game.' That's why it's very frustrating for everybody here. We have 13 left. It's on us. It's in our hands," Narvaez said, per Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner .
Narvaez is a newer member of the Orioles, having been dealt to Baltimore at this past trade deadline as part of the package for Adley Rutschman , who was shipped to Boston . He has been operating as the backup catcher behind Samuel Basallo and has struggled offensively since joining the organization.
Over his first 27 games with Baltimore, he has hit just .106 with a .203 on-base percentage and .324 OPS, collecting just seven hits across 75 plate appearances. It is a small sample size, but it has been a disappointing stretch given he joined them when every contributor needs to be performing.
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He has been considerably better historically, posting a .241 batting average, .306 on-base percentage, .726 OPS, 15 home runs and 50 RBIs with Boston in 2025. What he has provided in Baltimore is reliable defense behind the plate and the flexibility for manager Craig Albernaz to keep Basallo in the lineup at designated hitter, which is genuine organizational value even when the bat has not shown up.
Most importantly, it is clear Narvaez understands what this moment requires from every player in that clubhouse. Baltimore will look to win the series on the road at Rogers Centre on Sunday, sending out left-hander Trevor Rogers .
They will face a tough task though as the Blue Jays counter with ace Dylan Cease , who remains in contention for the AL Cy Young Award and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball all season long.
