Vol. IThe Bluffball AlmanacSUN, SEP 13, 2026✉ Write innew

Sportsinator

Daily sports news cheat sheets for people who want to talk sports

MLBFinal9 Jul, 2026

Chicago CubsvsBaltimore Orioles

CHC 2/BAL 3

ESPN Unlmtd/MLB.TVOriole Park at Camden Yards
Things to say

The Orioles edged the Cubs 3-2 at Camden Yards.

01
opener
Man, that one was a grind. Two-run ballgame the whole way, Orioles just found a way to hang on at Camden. Classic 3-2, one swing decides it.
02
key player
Baltimore's starter was the story — got into his stuff early and kept the Cubs' heart of the order off balance deep into the game. That's the outing that wins you a low-scoring one.
03
hot take
Honestly? Cubs are the better team on paper and they let this one slip. Fifty-two wins and you can't push a third run across against a sub-.500 club? That's a getaway-day letdown.
04
deep cut
The quiet key was the bullpen. Orioles are ten games under and their pen still slammed the door in a one-run spot — that's the kind of arm they should be shopping before the deadline.
05
exit
Anyway, Cubs are still sitting pretty in the standings. I'll be watching to see if they bounce back tomorrow or if this thing turns into a series.
The recap

Camden Yards got a nailbiter, Orioles edging the Cubs 3-2 to spoil a getaway day for Chicago. It was a low-scoring grind where the pitching carried both sides and every baserunner felt like an event.

Baltimore scratched across just enough, and the bullpen slammed the door late to protect the one-run lead. Cubs are still sitting pretty at 52-41, but this one slipped away in the small margins.

More from9 Jul, 2026browse that day’s box scores →