For the first time in 2026, the final score yesterday wasn’t going to make a difference in the Wild Card standings. The Orioles could win or lose Game 1 and 2. They wouldn’t pry themselves from the group of teams eliminated behind the White Sox.

Every one has an “E” next to its name.

The Orioles should be eager to move on from this uncooperative season. But they arrived in the Bronx with a chance to finish .500 if the weather allowed for three games to be played in the series. They were one ahead of the Blue Jays for fourth place, which beat the heck out of fifth.

There’s got to be some reason to get out of bed in the morning. Stats are nice. Impresses the bosses. And yeah, before yesterday, try to avoid back-to-back losing seasons.

They had to dig around for motivation. The playoff carrot isn’t dangled anymore, which seemed inevitable but still hurt when made official. The scoreboard watching could cease.

It’s more fun watching pitchers try to get a ball past Pete Alonso.

The .500 quest was in danger anyway. Manager Craig Albernaz likes to say that development is messy. Has he seen Sunday’s forecast? But a 6-3 loss in Game 2, with the bullpen and defense conspiring to kill any chance at another sweep, made the Orioles 79-82.

Rece Hinds misplayed a couple of balls in right field and struck out five times, the last in the ninth inning while it poured and the Orioles had two men on base. They went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and stranded 13. If that turns out to be the final game, it was on brand.

Albernaz has come full circle in clubhouse meetings, the first in Sarasota on the initial day of camp and the latest yesterday on the visiting side at Yankee Stadium.

“It’s something for myself, and also the rest of the team, we don’t want to have this feeling again. But ultimately, the guys this year, they’ve been through a lot, either injuries with their teammates, dealing with that, injuries themselves, the trade deadline. It was a bunch of things, and they kept on competing and fighting, but ultimately, this is not where we want to be,” Albernaz said in his dugout media scrum that aired on MASN.

“Just challenged the guys that, first and foremost, I can be better for them. I’ve got to make adjustments and help us in the win column as much as I can, but also challenge them that each player do some self-reflection and figure out those little margins where they can get better, as well, and attack them this offseason. Because us as a group, if we all attack those margins and you look up next year, hopefully we’re in a better spot.”

Albernaz also told the media yesterday that Blaze Alexander would remain on the injured list.

“His back wasn’t in the right spot to activate him,” Albernaz said.

The Orioles wouldn’t push him anyway, but elimination made it less likely that he’d return. He wants to play again but he can’t help them. His physical condition and the standings prohibit it.

It makes sense to just let Alexander heal and have a normal offseason.

The front office will get busy later with the roster and how Alexander’s fits on it. Whether he can be an everyday player at one position or move around again to take advantage of his versatility.

The infield could become more crowded with Jordan Westburg’s return next season. He was supposed to be the regular third baseman, which raises questions about playing time for Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Alexander might get more starts in the outfield.

The at-bats will be consistent, however it works out.

*Alonso has hit 307 home runs through his first eight seasons, which puts him in exclusive company.

The only players in major league history with more homers through eight seasons are Ralph Kiner (329 in 1946-53) and Albert Pujols (319 in 2001-08).

Alonso has played in 577 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in the majors behind Atlanta’s Matt Olson (942).

*The team’s save race isn’t creating any drama, but Andrew Kittredge has notched 11 to lead Rico Garcia by one.

Going into yesterday, the Orioles were among four major league teams this season with multiple relievers having 10 or more saves, along with the White Sox, Pirates and Royals. Ryan Helsley has registered eight, but he’s shut down.

Félix Bautista led the club with 19 last season, followed by Keegan Akin with eight. Craig Kimbrel had 23 in 2024 and Seranthony Domínguez was next with 10.

*Catcher Yohel Pozo made a rare appearance last night in Game 2 and did something even more unusual.

He stole his first career base in the second inning.

It only took 125 games over parts of three seasons.

Pozo dumped a hit-and-run single into right field, sending Christian Franklin to third base. He broke for second, glanced back at Dylan Beavers, who was batting with two outs, and went into the bag standing. Pozo looked toward the dugout, smiled and pumped his fist.

Hopefully, someone saved the ball for him. Uprooting the base seemed a bit dramatic for the occasion.