Confused Orioles did something with Pete Alonso the NY Mets never dared to

Were the Baltimore Orioles trade deadline buyers or sellers? They sent Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox but also got quite a haul back. A few other pieces were sold, reliever Tyler Wells being maybe the least “addition by subtraction” move. Unlike the New York Mets who took a direct lane because of their record, the Orioles found themselves toying with reality.

A weak American League where .500 teams or worse are currently competing for the final Wild Card spot has breathed life into a lot of clubs. The Detroit Tigers, without Tarik Skubal, are competing. The Orioles, after a mild sell-off, found themselves only 2 games out of a Wild Card berth when they decided to give Pete Alonso first ups in their game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Never before in his career with the Mets or Orioles was Alonso ever called upon to bat first. Despite multiple variations of Mets lineups in 2024 and 2025, the Francisco Lindor move in and out of the leadoff spot as the most significant, Alonso never once started a game in the leadoff spot. Something that would make our grandparents faint at the mere thought, Alonso was hoping he could be the right-handed Kyle Schwarber.

How did things go for Pete Alonso in the leadoff spot anyway?

Alonso worked another former Mets player, Steven Matz, to 7 pitches before a foul tip struck him out. It was the best of the worst kind of outcome for a leadoff hitter. He managed a one-out single his second time up. During his third chance, he struck out in a 1-2-3 inning. His next plate appearance ended the inning on a force out to conclude a 2-run inning by the Orioles. He finished with a 2-out single in the 9th that put runners on the corners. The O’s would strand both runners.

Taylor Ward, now with the Seattle Mariners, was the primary leadoff hitter for the Orioles this season with Gunnar Henderson taking on the second-most starts in the role. A poor season from Henderson along with a .641 OPS out of the leadoff spot helped the Orioles’ decision to change things around.

While Alonso was far from effective, Henderson was 4 for 4 with a double and a home run. Getting this former MVP locked in is as important as discovering Alonso responses well to the leadoff role.

Alonso responded to the choice with some humor pregame.

For all of the discussion about whether the Mets should or shouldn’t have kept him, the numbers are coming into greater focus in August. He’s tied for 21st in MLB among qualified hitters with his .832 OPS. He’s 13th in home runs, 9th in RBI, and 9th in Outs Above Average for first basemen. Defense will remain the toughest measurement as players commonly look good at one stat and not so grand with another.

Alonso’s reverse splits this year, a .730 OPS against lefties and .876 against righties, could have him leading off for the Orioles more often than not regardless of the pitcher. A win in try number one should be enough of a reason especially with it livening up Henderson for a night.

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