The Baltimore Orioles have officially been eliminated from the 2026 MLB postseason, extending a troubling October drought for a club that appeared positioned for sustained contention a few seasons ago.
Baltimore’s elimination became official Thursday when the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-1, clinching an American League playoff berth and closing the Orioles’ final mathematical path. Baltimore is 78-81 with three games remaining at Yankee Stadium before the season ends.
Talkin’ Baseball highlighted the concern Thursday on X, formerly Twitter, pointing to how long it has been since the Orioles last won a postseason game.
Orioles will miss the postseason for the second year in a row. They haven't won a playoff game since 2014, the second-longest drought in the AL behind the Angels pic.twitter.com/v3QhYp7DCb
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 24, 2026
Baltimore’s last postseason victory came October 5, 2014, when the Orioles defeated the Detroit Tigers 2-1 to complete an ALDS sweep. Since then, Baltimore has lost 10 consecutive playoff games across the 2014 ALCS, 2016 Wild Card Game, 2023 ALDS, and 2024 Wild Card Series.
Article Continues BelowThe drought is especially notable because the organization seemed to have opened a lengthy competitive window only recently. The Orioles won 101 games and captured the AL East in 2023, then reached the postseason again in 2024 before missing October in 2025.
The club added Pete Alonso before 2026, and he reached 41 home runs Wednesday, but injuries and inconsistent results prevented the chances of a playoff push. The club also traded former franchise catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox at the deadline, further reshaping its core amid mounting pressure.
The Orioles will bring first-year manager Craig Albernaz back in 2027, giving the club continuity as it addresses major roster questions this offseason.
The final weekend in New York now serves as Baltimore’s last on-field evaluation before an offseason that will test how the front office builds around a young core led by Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, and Colton Cowser.
How the Orioles retool the group, particularly around its pitching staff and outfield depth, will shape whether the organization can turn their recent regular-season promise into meaningful October success.