If you want the cleanest possible summary of what the Baltimore Orioles are trying to be in 2026, it’s about eliminating survival mode. No more “we’ll piece it together at DH.” No more pretending the bottom third of the order doesn’t exist.
Joel Reuter’s projected 2026 Orioles Opening Day lineup for Bleacher Report looks quite loud at the moment. Especially compared to the 2025 Opening Day lineup, a group that had real players but way too many depth pieces taking regular at-bats — the projected 2026 version is a full-on identity switch. And yes, it absolutely reads like the front office looked at last year’s patchwork and turned off hard mode.