The Orioles celebrated last night’s 11-2 win that completed a sweep of the division-leading Rays, but now they get four games against the Blue Jays, who are one ahead of them for third place.

The last Wild Card spot eludes the Orioles by one game, if it isn’t too early to check the standings.

Last night marked the Orioles’ first sweep of the Rays since 2020.

Pete Alonso collected his 1,000th career hit. I’ve emptied at least that many mailbags.

Here’s a sampling of the latest.

Is Ryan Helsey still on track for a return in mid-June?
This was a reasonable expectation when we talked to Helsley in D.C. He hasn’t started an injury rehab assignment, which would make it a little easier to project his return. It won’t be a short affiliate stay. He hasn’t pitched since April 28. He doesn’t need the starter ramp-up, but he’s got to build up appearances and prove that he can work back-to-back days. That’s an important box to check. We’re almost through May, so the clock is ticking.

Is Mike Elias reluctant to DFA Tyler O’Neill because of his salary?
This is a complicated question. Or maybe it’s the answer that’s complicated. First, ownership would need to approve it. O’Neill is being paid the remainder of the $16.5 million owed this season and $16.5 million in 2027. Of course, that’s got to play into any decision. He isn’t a pending free agent. But also, David Rubenstein can cover whatever money is left. You do the math. He’s a billionaire. The Orioles don’t want to punt on O’Neill this early in the season. They still believe that he can contribute, even in a part-time role. Even if he’s coming off the bench. He had an RBI single last night and Colton Cowser pinch-hit for him. We’ve seen O’Neill go on heaters in the past. And he isn’t blocking anyone at this point. Dylan Beavers is on the injured list. Heston Kjerstad is on an injury rehab assignment and probably will be optioned after he’s reinstated. Both players hit from the left side. A top prospect isn’t beating down the door. Perhaps you’d rather have Tommy Pham.

What is the O’s franchise record for runners picked off in a single season?
STATS research on this topic goes back to 1974. The 2008 Orioles were picked up 12 times, one more than last year’s team. The 1993 team was picked off 10 times. Nine pickoffs occurred in 1988, 2001 and 2004. This year’s team has five pickoffs, which tied for fifth in the majors going into last night.

We back?
I want to say “yes” if only to make you happy. I picked this team to make the playoffs and I’m not backing down. I can’t stress enough how a mediocre American League works in their favor. And the bats, rotation and defense have looked a heck of a lot better lately. What we’re seeing is what the Orioles are capable of doing on a nightly basis. They’ve just got to do it.

What’s the latest on Dylan Beavers?
Beavers started a hitting progression Tuesday in Sarasota. We’ll count it as progress from an oblique strain, an injury that tends to linger and definitely can’t be rushed. “It was one session, I’m sure it went well,” said manager Craig Albernaz. “He came out clean. It’s always good news. No timetable, if that was the next follow-up question. I’ll jump in on that one.”

If another outfielder is needed for the 26-man roster, who is next up? Heston Kjerstad? Tommy Pham? TBD?
TBD is always a safe pick. I’m expecting Kjerstad to be reinstated from the injured list and optioned, so it depends when the Orioles would “need” another outfielder. It also depends if my instincts are correct. Pham seems like the more likely choice. Otherwise, why sign him?

What are gas prices like where you live? Do you use discount apps, or do you just pull up to the pump and pay whatever the price is, regular or premium?
Around $4.40 now at the two Exxon stations near my house. I don’t use an app or look for discounts, like if the station across the street is a penny cheaper. It won’t break me. I’ll pay the regular price.

Samuel Basallo has started 38 games, which puts him on pace to start 123. Are fans supposed to think that is acceptable to start that few games when he’s 21 years old and he was given an eight-year extension to be the full-time catcher after Adley leaves?
In short, yes. In longer, his playing time can increase as the season goes on, but he’s had injuries in the past and this is his first full major league season and he’s learning to catch at this level and Rutschman is the No. 1 guy. Basallo will sit against some, if not most, left-handers because he’s got to be rested to keep him going through a long season. Youth is a good excuse to play a guy more but it’s also a good reason to be careful with him. Depends on how you wanna look at it.

Trevor Rogers is still struggling. Any chance they send him down to work on things at AAA rather than at the MLB level?
Rogers can refuse an option to the minors based on his service time. I can’t speak for the club, but there’s got to be a long leash on last year’s Most Valuable Oriole. They’ll keep working with him between starts. He sounded a lot happier with his last start than the previous one. He made progress but still has a ways to go before he’s back to his 2025 self.

With the rotation struggling to get going consistently, is there any thought to stretching out Tyler Wells in AAA?
The Orioles seem more inclined to keep him in relief, valuing his ability to work multiple innings and also hoping that he stays healthy. The stretching out process would take a while. There would need to be a shift in the organization’s thinking to suddenly make him a starter again. The ‘pen needs him, and having options provides some needed flexibility, as we saw earlier this season.

Leody Taveras is much younger than I thought he was. He’s at that professional-hitters-finding-their-stride age of 26/27. Is it possible this is just who he is at the plate now?
Funny-you-should-ask. Albernaz was asked this exact question yesterday in his pregame media session. “I think that’s one factor,” he said. “There’s a lot of factors that could be in play, but yeah. Especially, I think everyone forgets how relatively young Leody is because he’s been in the league and everyone has seen the tools over the years, and to kind of see him right now put things together and play a complete game has been awesome to see. He’s one of our hardest workers, whether it be defensively, in the weight room, in the cage. He’s very diligent. He’s a great team player and teammate. And Leody just wants to win and he wants to do well and he wants his teammates to do well, as well. So the way he just goes about his business has been awesome to see, and the results that he’s getting is warranted. And the way he manages the at-bat has been really cool to see. I think that’s something that years past has been eluding him, but we’re seeing a disciplined approach right now.”

How safe should we feel that Ryan Helsley will stay healthy once he returns? The elbow inflammation is making me nervous, together with the length of his time on the IL.
You can never be too sure with elbows, but he’s been playing catch and he didn’t report any discomfort. The inflammation appears to be gone, but now it’s a matter of getting ready for a rehab assignment and however long that’s going to take before he’s reinstated. The bullpen certainly could use him. We don’t know how long Yennier Cano is going to be out after injuring his right hamstring last night.   

If another team claims Albert Suárez, who is most likely to become the inning-eater/ swingman in the bullpen?
The best outcome would be for the Orioles to re-sign Suárez to another minor league deal and select his contract, because the bullpen needs him. Otherwise, there isn’t really anyone who fits that description. Keegan Akin might be the closest. Tyler Wells can go multiple innings but he isn’t stretched out to start in a swingman role.

Bottom of the ninth, two outs Orioles down by a run, runners on second and third. Which Oriole that you’ve ever seen play do you want up to bat?
Delmon Young if it’s Game 2 of the Division Series. First-pitch swingin’, baby. Otherwise, well, Frank Robinson or Eddie Murray would be clutch choices.

Did you hear about the crash of the Millennium Falcon? It was a Wookie mistake.
This seems like a good place to stop.