Orioles Struggle to Shake Off Slow Starts as Easter Curse Continues

Despite manager's optimism, Baltimore team faces uphill battle to break pattern of early-season woes

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:11pm

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The Baltimore Orioles have once again stumbled out of the gate, losing a series to the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Easter weekend. This marks the second consecutive year the Orioles have disappointed fans by failing to capitalize on the holiday weekend, raising concerns about the team's ability to overcome their recent history of slow starts.

Why it matters

The Orioles' struggles around Easter have become an unwelcome tradition, dampening fan enthusiasm and putting pressure on the team to turn things around quickly. As the club looks to build on last season's progress, these early-season setbacks threaten to derail their momentum before the summer months.

The details

In the three-game series against the Pirates, the Orioles were swept, scoring just five runs total. This follows a similar pattern from 2025, when the team lost four straight games over Easter weekend. Manager Craig Albernaz acknowledged the team's frustration, but emphasized the long season ahead, saying "It's a marathon, not a sprint." However, the Orioles' inability to capitalize on the holiday weekend has become a concerning trend that the team will need to address.

  • The Orioles were swept by the Pirates in a three-game series over Easter weekend (April 4-6, 2026).
  • In 2025, the Orioles lost four straight games over the Easter weekend (April 18-21, 2025).

The players

Craig Albernaz

The manager of the Baltimore Orioles, who has emphasized the long season ahead despite the team's early struggles.

Pete Alonso

A star player for the Orioles who will be crucial to the team's success this season.

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What they’re saying

“It's a marathon, not a sprint.”

— Craig Albernaz, Manager, Baltimore Orioles

What’s next

The Orioles will look to bounce back in their upcoming series against the New York Yankees, a key early-season matchup that could set the tone for the rest of their campaign.

The takeaway

The Orioles' inability to overcome their early-season struggles, particularly around the Easter holiday, has become a concerning trend that the team must address if they hope to build on last year's progress and compete in the AL East. Maintaining fan enthusiasm and momentum will be crucial as the Orioles navigate the long baseball season.