The Baltimore Orioles are seriously running out of time to make a postseason run, sitting just three games back of the Cleveland Guardians for the final AL Wild Card spot as of Friday afternoon. It’s wild, and honestly, you gotta ask: would they even be in the conversation without Pete Alonso? Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer just tabbed the guy as Baltimore’s MVP for the season, and after seeing his numbers, who else could it possibly be?
The Polar Bear’s Instant Domination
Alonso came to Baltimore on a massive five-year, $155 million deal after an incredible seven-year run with the New York Mets, and he’s proving that money was incredibly well spent. This dude didn’t just join the team, he immediately *owned* the plate for the Orioles. Rymer wasn’t kidding when he said there was “not much doubt” about Alonso being the team’s MVP. He’s not just good, he’s leading his new squad with a ridiculous 34 home runs and an .861 OPS. Those are insane numbers for any player, let alone someone in their first year with a new club, trying to make an immediate impact. But wait, there’s more. The guy is flat out leading the *entire American League* with 97 runs batted in. Ninety-seven! That’s not just good, that’s elite, game-changing production right there. Every single one of those RBIs is pure gold for an Orioles team desperate to keep fighting for October.
Clutch City: Alonso’s Signature Power
And it’s not like these are just solo shots in garbage time, either. Rymer hit the nail on the head, noting that Alonso’s “favorite trick has long been hitting home runs with men on.” Yeah, that absolutely continued in 2026. This isn’t about padding stats, this is about delivering when it matters most, when the pressure is on, and the game is on the line. Imagine runners on base, the crowd roaring, and Alonso just steps up and crushes it. His 20 homers *with the bases occupied* this season? That’s tied for the most in all of MLB, sharing that insane stat with Kyle Schwarber. TWENTY! That’s clutch, folks, pure unadulterated clutch. This isn’t just a slugger, this is a bona fide difference-maker.
He’s not showing any signs of slowing down either. Alonso turns 32 in December, but you wouldn’t know it from his play. This year marks the *seventh time* he’s blasted 34 or more dingers in his eight big league seasons. That kind of consistent, high-level power over almost a decade? It’s rare, and it’s exactly why the Orioles are still in this thing.
The Orioles are hanging by a thread, just three games back, and the message is clear: they’re gonna need every single bit of Alonso’s continued excellence if they want to sneak into the playoffs. A deep run? That’s the dream, and right now, Pete Alonso is making them believe it’s possible. Keep an eye on those standings, because every swing matters for Baltimore.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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