Chris Bassitt’s leadership and performance have sparked a turnaround for the Baltimore Orioles pitching staff after a rough start to the season. On May 2, 2026, he delivered his best outing yet against the Houston Astros, pitching 6.2 innings while allowing just one run and striking out seven.
Bassitt signed with the Orioles during free agency after three years with the Toronto Blue Jays. He had a candid conversation with his new teammates about their struggles, stating they needed to stop being “too cute” with their pitching.
His performance against the Astros marked a significant improvement. Before this game, Bassitt allowed 17 runs—16 earned—in just 21.2 innings across his first five starts. His current ERA stands at 5.46, with a WHIP of 1.86 over six starts this season.
The Orioles pitching staff has struggled overall, ranking 22nd in team ERA at 4.39 and 24th in WHIP at 1.44. Bassitt’s arrival and subsequent leadership appear to be pivotal as the team aims for better results.
Following his standout performance, Bassitt expressed that it was easily his best outing of the season thus far. He emphasized that they all needed to be more aggressive on the mound.
The Orioles secured Bassitt with a one-year contract worth $18.5 million, hoping he would elevate their rotation as they compete in the AL East.