​Sep 11, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Coby Mayo (16) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Good morning Birdland,The Orioles kicked off their road trip with a 7-4 win in Toronto on Friday night, but unfortunately they did not get any closer to the AL’s coveted final wild card spot. That’s because the Guardians also won, beating the Twins 5-2. The gap to sneak into the playoffs remains at three games with 14 left on the schedule. If you are still watching the Orioles at this point, you probably shouldn’t be pinning your joy on whether or not they make the playoffs. That’s been true of this team since the late-90s, and it continues today. Instead, try to find positives elsewhere.For me, that starts with Coby Mayo lately. The guy hit another home run in the win, and this one was off of another right-handed pitcher. He is up to 23 long balls on the year and owns an OPS+ of 112. He has a .942 OPS since July 5 and has posted an OPS of .873 or better in each of the last three months. If he continues to show this promise at the plate, the Orioles will have to find a way to get his bat into the lineup most days in 2027.Chris Bassitt was also good, allowing two runs over five innings. Since being activated off of the IL, the veteran righty has a 4.24 ERA and is averaging 5.2 innings per start. This isn’t earth-shaking stuff, but it’s solid, dependable production that the Orioles were hoping for.Christian Encarnacion-Strand had three more hits. His OPS this season is up to .803. Maybe he needed to spend the first 3.5 months of the season in Triple-A working on some things, but it’s also worth wondering how much of a difference he would have made if he had been in Baltimore earlier in the year.And it was a nice night for Dylan Beavers, leading the team with three RBI. The outfielder’s place in the lineup has come and gone throughout the season. So far in September he has been getting more consistent playing time, and maybe that is paying off. Getting him as many at-bats as possible down the stretch should be a priority, especially compared to someone like Leody Taveras.The O’s and Jays are back at it today. First pitch is set for 3:07 in a matchup between Kyle Bradish (7-13, 3.91 ERA) and opener Spencer Miles (6-2, 2.77 ERA). LinksMulling over MVO candidates | Roch KubatkoPete Alonso will run away with MVO honors, but who comes in second and third is less obvious. At least one starting pitcher should be in the mix. Trevor Rogers has probably been the most consistently good, though his season-long totals aren’t as appealing as some others. Shane Baz has thrown the most innings. Brandon Young feels like the savior of the group given where he began the year.Helsley, Bautista take next rehab steps toward return to O’s bullpen | Orioles.comPro