The Los Angeles Dodgers, defending World Series champions, faced a surprising setback in a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles from September 5-7 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Despite their strong standing in the NL West, the Dodgers struggled on the road, losing two of three games to an underdog Orioles team.
The Dodgers, known for their passionate fans, typically thrive on the energy of their home crowd at Dodger Stadium. Playing away, however, came with a challenge, as fans seemed to hit team morale. Katelyn M., a Dodgers supporter and 7th grader at Day Creek, predicted a competitive series: “For sure, one hundred percent. I think it might be a tie at first, and then they could have a surprise win.”
Her hope suggested a close contest, reasonable given the Dodgers’ road game disadvantage. According to ESPN’s match up predictor, the Dodgers had a 60% chance of winning the series, a lower probability for the top-ranked team.
Jaxson C., an Orioles supporter, was confident in his team’s dominance. “The Orioles are going to crush [the Dodgers],” he said. Meanwhile, Dodgers fan Orlin S. dismissed concerns about the away games, saying, “Well, they’re just an overall good team, so I don’t know why that would affect them.”
Despite the Dodgers’ strong reputation, some fans believed the Orioles, though less celebrated, could pose a real threat.
The Orioles defied expectations, winning the first two games of the series. The Dodgers, despite their top ranking, struggled to match Baltimore’s intensity. The Orioles’ performance stunned many, as the Dodgers narrowly avoided a sweep by clinching a 5-2 win in the final game.
Jaxson C. wasn’t surprised. “Yes, I expected it. The Orioles are good, and the Dodgers are bad,” he said. His perspective contrasted sharply with Dodgers fans who anticipated a dominant performance.
“I was not expecting that because the Orioles are not doing good this season,” Orlin S. said. Similarly, Katelyn M. found the losses shocking: “It was kind of surprising. It was crazy [to see them lose].”
The series highlighted the unpredictability of baseball, as the underdog Orioles nearly swept the favored Dodgers. Most Dodgers fans had expected success, underestimating Baltimore’s resilience. Yet the absence of the Dodgers’ fan base likely contributed to their struggles, as the team missed the morale boost typically provided by supporters.
The Dodgers’ lone win in the series prevented a complete upset, but the losses revealed the challenges of playing on the road against a determined opponent. As the season continues, the Dodgers will look to regroup and rediscover their championship history, while the Orioles’ performance signals their ability to disrupt even the strongest teams in baseball.
