Zach Eflin opened as Baltimore's planned staff ace in 2025, but injuries and a brutal decline rendered him ineffective and non-competitive. The club failed to replace Corbin Burnes with a true ace, and a cascade of IL trips and homers left Baltimore spiraling to a disappointing season.

From a fantasy lens, Eflin’s collapse underscores the risk of banking on a post-deadline breakout as a foundation for a rotation. With health uncertain and Grayson Rodríguez sidelined, Baltimore must retool for 2026 with healthier arms and smarter payroll moves.

In a recent MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles, a moment of shocking misjudgment occurred when umpire failed to call a strike on a pitch by Zach Eflin that was perfectly placed down the middle of the strike zone. The missed call left players and fans stunned and sparked discussions about the reliability of officiating in high-stakes games. Such glaring errors are rare at the major league level, where precision is expected from umpires. The incident has ignited debates over whether technology should play a greater role in officiating to prevent such blunders in the future.

The Toronto Blue Jays (63-43) head to Baltimore to face the Orioles (47-58) on July 28, 2025. Chris Bassitt is set to pitch for Toronto, while Zach Eflin takes the mound for Baltimore. Despite a recent loss to the Tigers, the Blue Jays boast the best record in baseball, showing a strong performance post-All-Star break with an 8-2 record. The Orioles, meanwhile, are coming off a solid series against the Rockies, but have struggled with a 3-6 record over their last nine games. The teams have split their previous six matchups this season.

In terms of betting odds, the Blue Jays are favored at -124 on the moneyline, while the Orioles sit at +104. The spread is set at Blue Jays -1.5, with a total of 9.0 runs expected in this matchup. Bassitt has a strong season, carrying an 11-4 record and a 3.88 ERA, while Eflin holds a 6-5 record with a higher 5.78 ERA. Expert predictions favor the Blue Jays to win on the moneyline, while suggesting a lean on the Orioles to cover the spread.

The MLB trade deadline approaches, and several starting pitchers are expected to be on the move. Seth Lugo of the Kansas City Royals tops the list, likely to be traded as he has a player option for 2026. The Arizona Diamondbacks should consider dealing Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, both free agents after the season. The Baltimore Orioles are set to part with Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, and Tomoyuki Sugano, while Michael Soroka from the Washington Nationals is a strong candidate for a trade. Other potential names include Nick Martinez of the Cincinnati Reds and Aaron Civale from the Chicago White Sox.

Alongside these possible trades, there are pitchers who may step into starting roles after trades. This deadline is crucial for teams looking to bolster their rotations for a playoff push. Players like Nestor Cortes from Milwaukee and Patrick Corbin of Texas could also be on the move, impacting the league's pitching landscape significantly.

The Baltimore Orioles are navigating a challenging moment as they find themselves at the bottom of the AL East, trailing 7.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot with just days left until the 2025 MLB trade deadline. Reports suggest the team is likely to become sellers, focusing on trading key players such as Ryan O'Hearn, Cedric Mullins, and several pitchers including Zach Eflin and Charlie Morton. O'Hearn's strong performance in the 2025 All-Star Game may yield a solid trade package, while Eflin and Morton are also expected to be on the move due to their impending free agency.

Although the Orioles plan to compete in 2026, their strategy for the present indicates a selective approach rather than a complete overhaul. The impending trades aim to position the franchise favorably for the future, as they are intent on acquiring assets rather than letting valuable players depart without compensation. The next two weeks will be pivotal in shaping the team’s direction as they look to maximize their returns from key players.