According to OptaData, Alonso became the first player in MLB history to hit 40-plus home runs in his debut season in both the National League and American League. After launching 53 homers as a rookie with the New York Mets in 2019, he reached the 40-homer milestone once again in his first year with the Orioles.

Coming off an emotional series against his former team in Queens, Alonso continues to demonstrate that he is built for the spotlight as Baltimore seeks redemption following a quick exit in the 2024 AL Wild Card round against the Kansas City Royals.

Though Alonso spoke warmly of his time with the Mets, his primary focus remains on securing a postseason berth in Baltimore. The team has mounted a gritty second-half push, keeping an AL Wild Card berth technically within reach.

Orioles’ longshot postseason picture

In sports, a slim chance is still a chance. While analytical models give the Orioles just a 0.5% probability of securing an AL Wild Card berth, the clubhouse maintains a firm belief that it can beat the odds.

The mathematical reality is daunting. Baltimore trails in the Wild Card race and needs a chaotic combination of losses from the teams ahead of them, including the Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros.

A single win from any of those wild-card contenders drastically diminishes Baltimore’s odds. To have any realistic shot at October baseball, the Orioles must run the table over their final slate of games and hope for plenty of help across the league.

Remaining schedules for Baltimore and Wild Card contenders

The odds are long, but the schedule sets up a high-stakes final week of the regular season. Here is how the remaining slates look for Baltimore, Toronto, Chicago, and Houston:

• Baltimore Orioles
  • vs. Toronto Blue Jays (2 games): Sept. 22–23 at Camden Yards
  • at New York Yankees (3 games): Sept. 25–27 at Yankee Stadium
• Chicago White Sox
  • at New York Yankees (3 games): Sept. 22–24
  • vs. Cleveland Guardians (3 games): Sept. 25–27
• Houston Astros
  • vs. Seattle Mariners (3 games): Sept. 22–24
  • at Texas Rangers (3 games): Sept. 25–27
• Toronto Blue Jays
  • at Baltimore Orioles (2 games): Sept. 22–23
  • at Tampa Bay Rays (3 games): Sept. 25–27

Mets starter Sean Manaea didn’t hide his shock when he heard the Citi Field crowd cheer as Alonso launched a game-tying ninth-inning homer for Baltimore. “I got nothing but respect for him, I love him to death,” Manaea told SNY. “I know we have definitely underperformed, but the guys in here work their ass off every single day, and to have that reaction to an opposing player is crazy to me.”

Manaea’s reaction highlighted the growing divide between a locker room trying to navigate a nightmare season and a fanbase fed up with high expectations yielding disastrous results.

Alonso, for his part, maintained that he still holds deep affection for the Mets franchise. Yet watching his production in an Orioles uniform only deepens the sting for New York fans left wondering what could have been.

Is there a good reason for Mets fans to be frustrated?

This year’s collapse is hardly an isolated incident; it’s the tipping point of years of underachievement. Over the last five seasons, New York has made the postseason just twice—falling to the San Diego Padres in the 2022 NL Wild Card Series and losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the 2024 NLCS.

It has now been 11 years since the Mets last reached the World Series. Fans reasonably expected a deep October run this year, especially with the league’s highest payroll and the blockbuster 2024 signing of Juan Soto away from the cross-town Yankees.

Instead, the Mets crashed out of contention early, prompting fans to chant for the firing of President of Baseball Operations David Stearns. Now, the front office faces immense pressure to rebuild trust in 2027, as a starved fanbase demands an end to a 40-year World Series championship drought.

Following the victory over his former club, Alonso addressed the media and insisted he harbors no hard feelings toward the Mets for not offering him an extension prior to free agency. “When you have a really good opportunity and you have great dialogue, you don’t necessarily want to ruin that,” Alonso said.

Alonso added that his decision to sign with Baltimore came down to how aggressive the front office was from the start. “When Baltimore came in, they obviously expressed serious interest. For me, if they’re expressing themselves seriously, then I’m going to listen seriously,“ he explained.

While Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor reflected on the elimination and wondered how different the season might have been with Alonso still in the middle of the order, New York must now face reality as it prepares to watch October baseball from home.

Alonso reflects on his time in New York

Beyond harboring no ill will toward the front office, Alonso grew emotional when discussing his connection to New York, emphasizing how comfortable he and his family felt during his tenure in the city.

“New York is always going to feel like a homecoming. The city is really special,” Alonso told reporters. His comments come amid massive roster uncertainty for the Mets, who face immense pressure to bounce back after missing the postseason.

With October out of reach, the Mets will aim to finish the regular season on a high note before diving into a crucial offseason where they must re-evaluate their roster and rethink their long-term vision.

Needless to say, the events of the past winter weren’t forgotten throughout Alonso’s first night back at Citi Field. However, it wasn’t the Orioles first baseman who caught the wrath of the home fans, but Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns instead.

After Alonso flied out in his first at-bat back in Queens, a chant came down from the stands and onto the diamond. “Fire Stearns,” the fans began chanting. The message was clear and impossible to miss. Clearly, the fanbase has made up its mind and picked a side.

Tough season for the Mets

The Mets are nowhere near an MLB postseason berth, Alonso has put up another great season even though Baltimore has struggled tremendously, and not one of the players called upon to be Alonso’s replacement panned out particularly well for the Orange and Blue.

To make matters worse, the New York Yankees received a good World Series omen thanks to NFL teams New York Giants and New York Jets, adding insult to injury at this point for the club in Queens.

Mets fans make a statement

Watching Alonso return to the place he called home for seven years to start his MLB career was just too much for the fans to take. They had enough and burst against the man they feel is responsible for Alonso making it to free agency in the first place. It will be a long offseason for the brass in Queens.

In what’s been a character-testing, deflating 2026 MLB season, Chisholm Jr. has found himself in the spotlight time and again. It was no different when he revealed his point of view on the polarizing play.

“I was on the other side [of the field]. From my side it looked like it went straight over, but that’s my view, you know? Probably from over there it probably was fouled closer to the line,” Chisholm Jr. admitted to reporters after the Yankees‘ 5-3 win in Baltimore, via YES Network.

Alonso’s thunderous hit that was waived off late in the game made waves all across MLB. Chisholm Jr. wasn’t the only to speak on the subject, as New York manager Aaron Boone sounded off on Alonso’s foul ball, as well. The Yankees’ manager didn’t voice a comment as eyebrow-raising as Chisholm Jr. did, though.

MLB addresses the drama

Shortly after the unsuccessful review determined that the call on the field stood and Alonso was deprived of his 30th home run of the season, MLB’s Replay Center released an official explanation of why the ball was called foul despite some video evidence suggesting otherwise.

“After viewing all relevant angles, the Replay Official could not definitively determine that the ball left the playing field in fair territory. The call stands, and it is a foul ball,” the MLB’s Replay Center’s statement read.

At the very least, there was a case to be made for calling it either fair or foul. In the end, it was Alonso and the Orioles who got the short end of the stick, much to the delight and relief of Chisholm Jr. and the Bronx Bombers.

NY Yankees-Orioles season record

With Wednesday’s win, the Yankees improved to 71-55 on the season while securing another series win over the Orioles (61-66). So far in 2026, New York is 7-2 against Baltimore.

After Thursday’s game, the two sides will meet for their regular-season finale series (Sept. 25-27). The Bronx Bombers can lose every remaining game against the O’s and will still finish with a winning record in the season series.

“The Red Sox still would love to come away with a shortstop by the end of the day,” USA Today insider Bob Nightengale reported on his X account after the Rutschman trade was confirmed.

Whether Boston moves quickly enough to beat the clock ahead of the MLB trade deadline (set for 6 p.m. ET) remains to be seen. However, the report shines a light on just how invested the Red Sox front office is. After a rough start to the season and parting ways with Alex Cora, the Red Sox have become one of the hottest teams in the American League and are acting accordingly at the deadline.

Who could Boston go after?

The shortstop market is an intriguing one at the deadline. Although the demand is quite high, there isn’t an abundance of options. Names to watch include Zach Neto, Otto Lopez, and CJ Abrams. However, each comes with its own question marks.

As noted by Nightengale on Foul Territory, a trade involving Neto’s departure from the Angels would be “stunning,” which may dampen the Red Sox’s chances of landing the shortstop. As for Abrams, reports indicate the Washington Nationals haven’t entertained trade offers internally, but that could change if the right offer comes along.

The Red Sox may pursue one of those three names or opt for a dark horse instead. Acquiring an infielder who can transition to shortstop—or moving an in-house player to the position—is another option for the club in Beantown. What’s clear is that the front office will do everything in their power to bolster the lineup ahead of the postseason.

Current depth at shortstop

As things stand, the Red Sox face something of a crisis at shortstop. With Marcelo Mayer, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Trevor Story injured, Boston has only Andruw Monasterio and Romy Gonzalez as shortstop options. Thus, adding another option before the deadline is paramount.

The Red Sox addressed their need for a star backstop, but it shouldn’t end there. At the very least, they’ll make an effort to find more help, even if they can’t land it before the stretch run of the 2026 season.

“…the teams pursuing right-handed hitting outfielders are waiting to see what the Baltimore Orioles do with left fielder Taylor Ward,” the insiders wrote. “The clubs in that market, to varying degrees, include the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and Cleveland Guardians, according to people briefed on the discussions.”

The Yankees are also eyeing catcher Hunter Goodman, making it clear that Aaron Boone wants to continue strengthening his roster for the challenges ahead. Will the Pinstripes finally be able to complete one of these moves?

Ward’s numbers this season

So far this season with the Baltimore Orioles, Taylor Ward has provided a steady presence at the plate, collecting 100 hits—including seven home runs and 30 RBIs—across 403 at-bats. While maintaining a .248 batting average, his elite discipline has stood out, as he leads the American League with 84 bases on balls to boost his on-base percentage to an impressive .383.

Who would benefit most from adding Ward?

Between the two contenders, the Philadelphia Phillies would benefit significantly more than the Yankees by adding Taylor Ward before the trade deadline. While the Yankees could use extra outfield depth with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton banged up, their lineup already has strong right-handed presence.

In contrast, Philadelphia’s offense is overwhelmingly left-handed (led by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper) and desperately lacks high-level production from the right side, especially with Adolis Garcia out. Despite a down year in pure home-run power with just 7 HRs and 30 RBIs, Ward’s elite plate discipline—highlighted by an AL-leading 84 walks, a .383 OBP, and 100 hits through 403 at-bats—would instantly fix Philly’s biggest dynamic weakness.

Placing Ward’s disciplined right-handed bat and solid OPS against lefties into the middle of Philadelphia’s order would protect their elite left-handed hitters and give them a far more balanced lineup for a deep postseason run.

Speaking in a quiet clubhouse following the defeat, Contreras emphasized the positives of Boston’s historic stretch. “That was a great ride, a 15-game winning streak. There’s nothing to be sad about. We have to be happy. We should be proud of what we did and from now keep playing the way we’ve been playing,” he said, according to ESPN.

The Red Sox had opened the day with a 6-3 victory to match the franchise record of 15 consecutive wins, originally set by the 1946 club led by Ted Williams. Their streak was the longest in Major League Baseball since the St. Louis Cardinals also won 15 straight in September 2021.

Chad Tracy praises veteran leadership after streak ends

Following the loss, interim manager Chad Tracy planned to address the clubhouse but decided to step aside after seeing Contreras and veteran pitcher Sonny Gray speaking with teammates. “We just won 15 games in a row, and I think all of us knew it was going to end at some point,“ Tracy said.

Boston has dramatically turned its season around after a difficult start that included the dismissal of manager Alex Cora following a 10-17 record. Since then, the club has climbed back into contention behind one of the hottest stretches in baseball.

Orioles stop Boston behind Kyle Bradish’s strong outing

Baltimore avoided a three-game sweep thanks to a dominant performance from Kyle Bradish, who allowed just one run over six innings while striking out four. The Orioles built an early four-run lead in the first inning and never looked back, with Dylan Beavers driving in two runs during the decisive rally.

Despite the loss, Boston remains one of baseball’s hottest teams after winning 15 of its previous 16 games. The Red Sox will now look to begin a new winning streak as they continue their push through the second half of the MLB season.

“I really enjoy being in those situations, and not to come through for the team there [in the first inning], it really stinks,” Alonso said after the game, according to reporter Luke Jones. “And then making a baserunning error like that in the eighth obviously stinks as well. Yeah, not a good one.”

The veteran slugger finished 1-for-4 in the series opener and was unable to capitalize in key scoring opportunities. Alonso’s baserunning mistake late in the game further compounded a difficult night for an Orioles offense that once again struggled to generate timely production.

Orioles continue searching for offensive consistency

Toronto struck first with a run in the third inning before Baltimore answered in the fourth to tie the game. However, the Blue Jays regained the lead in the eighth inning and held on through the ninth, handing the Orioles another close loss in a season filled with inconsistency.

Despite posting solid power numbers overall this year, Alonso has struggled to maintain offensive rhythm during recent games. The 30-year-old entered the matchup hitting .231 with 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .740 OPS through 216 at-bats during the 2026 campaign.

Baltimore’s lineup has shown flashes throughout the season, but the club continues to search for sustained production against divisional opponents. The Orioles currently sit fourth in the AL East, trailing both Toronto and the New York Yankees in the standings.

Alonso looks to rebound as Orioles continue Blue Jays series

Alonso joined Baltimore this past offseason after spending the first seven years of his MLB career with the New York Mets, bringing veteran power and postseason experience to the Orioles’ lineup. While expectations remain high for the slugger, he acknowledged the need to improve in critical moments moving forward.

The Orioles will attempt to bounce back Friday night in Game 2 of their four-game series against Toronto. With the team continuing to fight to stay within reach in the AL East race, Baltimore will need more consistent production from the middle of its lineup, especially from players like Alonso.

According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the deal includes an opt-out clause that would allow Pham to become a free agent in early June if Baltimore does not add him to the MLB roster. The veteran is hoping for a fresh start after struggling offensively during his short time in New York.

Pham appeared in nine games with the Mets in 2026 and went hitless in 14 plate appearances before being designated for assignment in late April. He later elected free agency after clearing waivers.

Pham gets another chance with Orioles organization

The veteran outfielder remained unsigned for most of the offseason before eventually agreeing to a minor league deal with the Mets near the end of spring training.

After working his way through extended spring training and a few minor league appearances, New York promoted Pham to the active roster in April. However, he was unable to produce consistently at the plate during his limited opportunities.

Baltimore now gives the longtime MLB veteran another chance to prove he can still contribute offensively at the highest level.

Veteran outfielder approaching notable MLB milestone

If Pham reaches the Orioles’ active roster and appears in a game, Baltimore would become the 11th team of his major league career. That achievement would place him among a small group of players to suit up for at least 11 different MLB franchises. For now, the focus remains on getting his 2026 season back on track and earning another opportunity in the majors.

“Max Fried exited the game with left elbow posterior soreness, the Yankees announced. He will be examined by team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad and undergo imaging tomorrow in New York,“ Hoch posted to his X account regarding the veteran’s abrupt departure.

Following the early exit, the Yankees turned to Paul Blackburn and Ryan Harborough, though the bullpen struggled to stabilize the game in Fried’s absence. All eyes are now on the results of tomorrow’s tests, as the Yankees’ pitching depth faces a massive test ahead of the remainder of the series and the highly anticipated Subway Series against the New York Mets.

The discomfort surfaced during the fourth inning, with Fried visibly favoring his arm before heading straight for the tunnel. The timing is particularly complicated for manager Aaron Boone, who had just clarified Jose Caballero’s long-term role despite Anthony Volpe’s much-anticipated season debut.

Fried struggles prior to injury exit

The Orioles’ offense made it clear that the pitcher didn’t matter, tagging both Fried and Blackburn early to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Before his abrupt departure, Fried’s performance was far from the dominant outing the Yankees had envisioned for their high-profile starter.

Fried’s final line was underwhelming: 3.0 innings pitched, five hits allowed, and three earned runs on 61 pitches. He managed just two strikeouts against one walk, leaving the Yankees in a hole and forcing the front office to reassess their pitching strategy for the grueling stretch ahead.

Ultimately, the Yankees dropped the series 2-1 to Baltimore, and the concern surrounding their rotation depth continues to mount. However, a silver lining may be on the horizon, as Boone suggested ace Gerrit Cole’s highly anticipated return to the mound could happen sooner than originally projected.