Orioles Fans Divided Over Team's Slow Start

Baltimore fans weigh in on whether to panic after 3-6 beginning to 2026 season

Apr. 6, 2026 at 8:25pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented baseball game, with overlapping shapes and planes in shades of orange, black, and white, conveying the divided opinions among Orioles fans about the team's slow start.Fans debate whether to panic or stay patient as the Orioles struggle out of the gate in the 2026 season.Today in Pittsburgh

The Baltimore Orioles have stumbled out of the gate to start the 2026 MLB season, going just 3-6 through their first nine games after being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend. The Baltimore Sun has launched a reader poll to gauge fan sentiment, with some expressing concern over the team's poor start while others urge patience early in the season.

Why it matters

The Orioles are looking to build on a promising 2025 campaign and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. A slow start has raised questions about whether the team has the talent and resilience to compete in the tough AL East division, leading to divided opinions among the Baltimore fanbase.

The details

After finishing 82-80 last season, the Orioles have stumbled out of the gate in 2026, dropping 6 of their first 9 games including a weekend sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The slow start has sparked a debate among Baltimore fans, with some calling for panic and others preaching patience early in the long MLB season.

  • The Orioles entered their second full week of the 2026 season with a 3-6 record.
  • The team was swept by the Pirates in Pittsburgh over the weekend.

The players

Baltimore Orioles

A Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland that plays in the American League East division.

Pittsburgh Pirates

A Major League Baseball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that plays in the National League Central division.

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What they’re saying

“It's only been nine games, but the Orioles enter their second full week of the 2026 season in a slump.”

— Baltimore Sun Staff

The takeaway

The Orioles' slow start has sparked a debate among their passionate fanbase, with some calling for panic while others urge patience early in the long MLB season. The team's ability to bounce back and compete in the tough AL East will be closely watched in the coming weeks and months.