Blue Jays rally from a 4-2 hole to stun the Orioles 5-4, riding Addison Barger’s fifth-inning homer and Alejandro Kirk’s ninth-inning sacrifice fly. Kirk also delivered an eighth-inning RBI single to keep Toronto within one as Joey Loperfido added a late RBI hit. Baltimore tagged early against Tomoyuki Sugano, with Gunnar Henderson and Coby Mayo providing key early and late offense, while Max Scherzer worked five for Toronto. Bieber may settle the finale as Baltimore halves look to bullpen-day.

Baltimore’s sports landscape faces a durability puzzle. Jaire Alexander’s move to the Ravens after Green Bay released him due to chronic knee issues, and Tyler O’Neill’s knee-history shaping his Orioles stint, spotlight risk and upside in high-stakes signings. With an opener against Buffalo looming, this piece argues front offices must weigh medical history as heavily as talent, reminding fantasy players to separate potential from durability.

In short, injuries are a parallel coin in NFL and MLB decision-making. Durability affects Week 1 ceilings, lineups, and DFS picks in football and daily lineups in baseball. The piece urges patience and meticulous workload forecasting, cautioning against overpaying for injury-prone stars and urging smarter sequencing of bets on Baltimore’s big-league rosters.

Baltimore's front office is under the microscope after a tough 2025 campaign, with Mike Elias publicly acknowledging that a lot had to go wrong. The roundtable of criticism centers on roster moves and how they impact the team’s fantasy outlook, especially in light of injuries and an uneven lane to success. The piece keeps the focus on decision-making and its ripple effects for players who fantasy managers chase.

The centerpiece of the debate is a three-year pact given to Tyler O’Neill, a player whose extensive disabled-list history looms over the Orioles’ plans. O’Neill is already on the IL this season, making the contract feel increasingly risky to fantasy managers weighing health, playing time, and upside. The letter-writer’s question—whether Elias anticipated different results—adds a sharp edge to the discussion, highlighting how front-office choices can tilt the fantasy landscape through the season.

Baltimore’s 2025 arc has derailed. After a promising playoff run and an AL East title two years back, the Orioles sit last in the division and nine games out of a wild-card spot with under two months left, driven by a -80 run differential. The Hyde-era departure on May 17 underscored a franchise in flux as a roster built on young upside tries to stay afloat.

Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill were placed on the injured list (Cowser with a concussion, O’Neill with right wrist inflammation) while Ryan Mountcastle returned from a hamstring issue. Jordyn Adams was recalled to bolster the outfield. Baltimore still leans on a talented core—Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Adley Rutschman—but needs strategic offseason moves and a manager who can maximize the roster’s ceiling.

As we approach Week 18 of the MLB season, finding those diamond-in-the-rough players on the waiver wire can be crucial for fantasy baseball success. This week, hitters like Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox stand out for his multi-position eligibility and run-scoring potential. Meanwhile, Mike Tauchman and Nathan Lukes are proving valuable contributors to their teams, with consistent performances in runs scored and batting average. The home run category sees Tyler O'Neill and Giancarlo Stanton as top pickups, both exhibiting power potential following their recent form. In terms of RBIs, Josh Jung has been a revelation since his call-up, while Mickey Moniak's resurgence with the Rockies adds another dimension. For stolen bases, Chandler Simpson and Colton Cowser are rising stars worth adding. Finally, Jordan Beck and Coby Mayo are making headlines for their batting averages, making them worth consideration in deeper leagues.