Ben Rice’s two homers, including an 8th-inning go-ahead blast, lift New York past Baltimore 3-2 in the season finale as the Orioles end 2025 at 75-87. Baltimore briefly led on Westburg and Henderson solo shots, but Rice’s clutch long ball spoiled the comeback. Kyle Bradish showed a flash of 2026 promise in four innings after rehab, while Rutschman’s 9th-inning walk and Beavers/Cowser strikeouts left the O’s season with questions about offense and depth.

Samuel Basallo’s MLB debut with Baltimore was followed by an eight-year, $67 million extension, signaling a long-term bet on a 21-year-old catching talent. Five days later, he delivered his first walk-off, a 433-foot shot off Tanner Scott to lift the Orioles 2-1 over the Dodgers. With Adley Rutschman sidelined by injuries, Basallo flashed power and plate discipline beyond his age, offering a glimpse of a future cornerstone behind the plate as Baltimore navigates catcher depth.

The scoreboard moment capped a rapid rise: Basallo entered the season as a top-15 prospect, wasn’t called up until August, and has since shown he can swing for impact in clutch moments. Baltimore’s investment underscores confidence in his development path and his potential to become a middle-of-the-order threat while the organization builds around him and Rutschman.

Giants ride a late-season surge into Oracle Park as Baltimore's youth movement stalls, setting up a fantasy-friendly showdown. Through 134 games, the Orioles sit at a 97 wRC+, close to San Francisco’s 96, but the Giants have edged Baltimore in value (13.1 fWAR vs 12.2) and have shown a steadier offensive pulse. The piece highlights Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday as frontrunners for Baltimore, while Rafael Devers and Giants’ bats provide momentum for rest-of-season rosters. The three-game series could tilt rest-of-year fantasy projections and streaming opportunities.

For fantasy managers, the Orioles’ core remains intriguing but volatile, with Henderson, Rutschman and Holliday carrying the promise that can flip a matchup. On the Giants’ side, Devers’ recent power and a stronger team-wide OBP suggest affordable exposure as a bolster to a push for 82 wins. Monitor Oracle Park factors, bullpen usage, and interleague dynamics as the set unfolds.