The close friendship between Orioles manager Craig Albernaz and the Guardians’ Stephen Vogt has taken on an interesting dynamic.

Albernaz served as Vogt’s bench coach with Cleveland in 2024 and associate manager the following year. The Orioles hired him in late October, which led to their head-to-head meetings in April and again this week.

The unique angle here is that the Orioles are chasing the Guardians for the last Wild Card spot, with a six-game losing streak pushing them four games back. Vogt wishes the best for Albernaz but also can inflict more damage to their dwindling playoff hopes.

Asked this morning about the situation with Vogt, Albernaz smiled and said, “It’s fun.”

“This is it, this is what it’s all about,” he said. “Cleveland’s always in it. For us, we always want to be in it and we are in it. And yeah, it’s gonna be a fun series. I know what they’re playing for, they know what we’re playing for. We know what type of teams we have on both sides, and that’s why you have to go out and play the game. And for us, we’ve talked about it. It’s gonna be fun going out there, competing, because ultimately this series is a big series for both teams and that’s something you can ask for is the pure competition aspect of it.”

Closer Ryan Helsley has completed his bullpen sessions in his recovery from a second elbow injury and is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday or Wednesday. He still has a shot at returning after a rehab assignment.

Tyler O’Neill’s shoulder isn’t responding the way that he hoped, making it more likely that he’s done for the season.

O’Neill strained his rotator cuff while making a diving catch in right field on Aug. 26. He remains with the team.

“He’s not taking his time, but it’s a lot for him right now, especially with it being the right shoulder,” Albernaz said. “He’s out there moving around, keeping his body fresh. He’s in the training room to try to get that shoulder going, so it’s gonna be how our medical staff and T.O. feel like that’s progressing.”

Félix Bautista remains on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk.

“Like I said with Félix, we’re just listening with him and see where he’s at,” Albernaz said. “There’s no pressure for us. We want to make sure that we’re doing right by him.”

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle and reliever Keegan Akin are in Baltimore this week but will return to the Sarasota complex while the Orioles fly to Toronto. They have lockers in the clubhouse.

“It’s great to have them here to kind of get them out of Florida and get them around the guys,” Albernaz said.

Mountcastle was preparing for his first rehab game with Norfolk after fracturing his right foot, but he suffered a severe oblique tear while working out and stayed on the 60-day injured list. He’s swinging a bat, but nothing too strenuous and probably won’t play again this season.

The Orioles hold a $7.5 million club option for 2027.

Akin underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow. He becomes a free agent after the season.

Outfielder Luis Robert Jr. already has gone down to Florida after his placement yesterday on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. Outfielder Christian Franklin (left hand) also is rehabbing in Sarasota.

Their returns “are going to be TBD,” Albernaz said.

Per STATS, the Orioles are the only American League team and one of three in the majors with three players slugging .500 or higher since the break in a minimum 100 plate appearances: Pete Alonso (.539), Coby Mayo (.532) and Christian Encarnacion-Strand (.500).

Trevor Rogers has posted a quality start in each of his last six starts at home, the longest Orioles streak since Corbin Burnes (nine) in 2024.

The Orioles are 17-11 against the American League Central, which would be their fourth-best record against the division.

For the Guardians
Steven Kwan LF
Jo Adell DH
José Ramírez 3B
Angel Martínez RF
David Fry 1B
Angel Genao 2B
Austin Hedges C
Petey Halpin CF
Brayan Rocchio SS

Joey Cantillo LHP