The Baltimore Orioles opened their series against the Tampa Bay Rays with a hard-fought 6-5 win on Friday and now turn their attention to the second contest of the three-game set.
As they prepare for Saturday’s matchup, the club has made a notable adjustment to its batting order that centers on young second baseman Jackson Holliday.
After hitting second in Friday’s victory, Holliday will slide into the third spot in the lineup. Colby Mayo, who occupied the three-hole the previous night, moves down to the cleanup position.
The revised order places Tyler O’Neill in the leadoff role followed by Pete Alonso, Holliday, Mayo, Gunnar Henderson, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Christian Franklin, Leody Tavares, and Carlos Narvaez. Kyle Bradish is scheduled to take the mound for the Orioles.
The shift comes at a time when Holliday has been searching for consistency. Through 70 games this season the 2026 campaign has produced six home runs, 22 runs batted in, and a .240 batting average for the former top prospect.
Those numbers represent a step back from the career highs he posted a year earlier, when he appeared in 149 games and finished with 17 home runs, 21 doubles, 55 RBI, and a .242 average. Over his last three contests Holliday has managed only one hit in 13 at-bats, leaving him due for a stronger performance.
Baltimore finds itself in need of positive momentum. Sitting at 59-63 and occupying last place in the American League East, the Orioles trail the first-place Rays in the division standings.
A series victory would provide a welcome boost for a team that has struggled to gain traction throughout the year.
Moving Holliday into a more prominent spot in the order is one attempt by the coaching staff to spark additional production from a player many still view as a cornerstone of the franchise’s future.
Whether the change produces immediate results remains to be seen, but the opportunity is clear.
Holliday steps into a more central role against a strong Rays club, and the Orioles hope the adjustment helps him rediscover the form that once made him one of the most highly regarded young talents in the game.
A strong showing from the second baseman would not only aid Baltimore’s chances of taking the series but also reinforce the belief that better days still lie ahead for both the player and the team.
