A whack job of a baseball season couldn’t suddenly present itself as normal by the weekend.

This isn’t a dating site.

The Orioles were eliminated from the Wild Card race yesterday during an off-day in New York, and after a doubleheader sweep at Camden Yards. Of course, it didn’t happen under the usual circumstances, after they played a game. They were in hotel rooms or other downtown locations and watched the White Sox spank the Royals.

The series at Yankee Stadium holds little meaning beyond personal gains, and of course, rain in the forecast has messed up the schedule.

The teams are playing a single-admission doubleheader today beginning at 4:05 p.m. Perhaps Sunday will be deemed unnecessary if there’s no window, which would reduce the Orioles to 161 games.

That would kill any chance at a .500 season. Another kick in the crotch.

Forget the stirrup socks. The Orioles need to pass out Kevlar cups.

Sweeping the Blue Jays left the Orioles with a 21-28 record against the American League East. They went 19-12 against the Central and 17-14 versus the West. Manager Craig Albernaz pointed to the struggles within the division as one reason why his club didn’t meet expectations.

The Orioles were 15-16 on May 1 when they arrived in the Bronx for a four-game series. They lost all four and were outscored 39-10. It was a troubling sign for the club that shouldn’t be downplayed or skipped when rehashing the season.

Taking two of three at Camden Yards later in the month was more of a jab than a counterpunch, and they were swept in a three-game series in August that lowered their overall record to 61-67.

The Blue Jays had nothing to play for Wednesday in Game 2 and it showed. I hadn’t seen that many people stranded early since the S.S. Minnow crashed. The Yankees clinched the top Wild Card and can’t win the division, which might lead manager Aaron Boone to rest some of his regulars.

Meanwhile, the White Sox are hosting the Rockies, who are terrible but won two of three from the Orioles. That series, which began a six-game losing streak, also should be noted when penning an obit.

Rookie David Sandlin started yesterday for Chicago, his eighth major league appearance. He had a 6.29 ERA. I seriously questioned again whether a third Wild Card should be included this year. Let the National League have it and give that team a bye.

Sandlin allowed one run with no walks and seven strikeouts in six innings and the White Sox clinched.

To be fair, the Orioles aren’t referencing the playoffs nearly as much anymore – even Pete Alonso talked Wednesday about not meeting the standard – but they keep grinding. They rallied Monday after falling behind 3-0 in the first inning. They won twice Wednesday. They’re in a weird rhythm, sweeping the Mets, being swept by the Brewers and sweeping the Blue Jays.  Every time the sheet looks like it’s gonna be pulled over their heads, they slap it away.

To be on the outside in October leaves an organization sifting through the reasons and crafting emphasis points for next spring, with one person saying “accountability” is going to be important. But there’s also evaluations on players who backslid or offered hope for breakthroughs.

Trey Gibson seemed to be forgotten until getting the call for Game 2. He allowed one run and two hits with nine strikeouts over five innings in his final start with Triple-A Norfolk, but we’re more likely to remember the eight runs and six walks in 2 2/3 against the White Sox on June 30 before the Orioles optioned him again.

They selected him to start Wednesday with Kyle Bradish on the injured list and Cade Povich optioned. They plopped him into a must-win game. Done purposely to test him or because they didn’t have many other choices? Maybe both. Maybe those microscopic playoff odds reduced the risk.

Gibson was in total control with 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He came within Jeremiah Jackson’s shift violation error of completing seven. Gibson already accepted congratulations in the dugout when the Blue Jays called for a challenge.

“We talk about it,” manager Craig Albernaz said of the rule. “We talked about it in our dugout. We were on it, as well. Going into the series, we identify the infielders that are close to the edge of the grass, or even the shortstops or second basemen, where they’re playing. J.J., his left foot just got caught, but he was about to go into his pre-pitch, and his left heel was just there. But that’s something that our players know they’re aware of.

“J.J. knew it, too. When he looked up and saw it, he just got caught in his pre-pitch. That’s something we talked about with our guys, but it’s also something that we look for in the game, as well.”

The Orioles tweaked Gibson’s delivery after sending him down again, cutting out the drop step in his windup and making it easier to repeat. Check out his left foot for the comparison.

The dominant performance against the Jays, which featured a fastball topping at 98.2 mph, also sent a message to Gibson.

“Driving home the fact that it’s the same game I’ve played my whole life,” he said. “and to go out there and just compete like a kid, just being relaxed and letting myself do what I want to do.”

Brandon Young also was a pitching prospect who went through some tough times in 2025, got another opportunity this year and posted the lowest ERA among Orioles starters at 3.62. He took the next step, or leap. And Albernaz, put on the spot Wednesday when asked about Gibson, said the young right-hander can be an impactful major league starter.

“And tonight was indicative of that,” Albernaz said.

“He has the ingredients, for sure. He has the mentality too. He doesn’t get flustered, doesn’t get phased, and yeah, he has a bright future ahead. B.Y. did step up for us big this year. So I think if Trey has that in his bag, that’ll be awesome.” 

The Orioles still need to address the rotation in the offseason, whenever teams are allowed to conduct business, but Gibson can jump into the competition and improve the depth.

The 4-2 wins on Wednesday marked the eighth time in club history that the Orioles posted identical scores in a doubleheader and the first since Aug. 24, 1988 against the Mariners.