Here’s a review of last week and a preview of what’s ahead for the Orioles, who are 20-45, tied for the worst record in the majors.

What’s to come?

It’s a week full of division rivals at Camden Yards. Monday’s day off preceded a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays, who the Orioles haven’t faced since their season-opening road trip. John Means and Gabriel Ynoa, neither of whom were in the rotation to begin the season, will pitch the series opener and finale, respectively, with the middle game belonging to David Hess, who pitched 6 1/3 no-hit innings against the Blue Jays on April 1 but has an 8.20 ERA since.

It’ll also be Baltimore’s first look at promising Toronto rookies Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio, both sons of Hall of Famers.

Then, the Boston Red Sox return to Camden Yards. The Orioles are 3-4 against them.

What was good?

Much of the Orioles’ early-season pitching struggles could be attributed to their rotation. They didn’t pitch well, which meant short outings, which meant taxed relievers, which meant they also didn’t pitch well.

This past week, though, Baltimore’s starters were at their most effective. On the road trip, they had a 3.34 ERA, with a quality start in the final five games. The lone exception was Dylan Bundy’s five-inning, three-run outing to open the trip, arguably his worst start among his past seven. Means has been a revelation and has become a borderline All-Star candidate. Ynoa has pitched effectively in the rotation. Cashner rebounded from a couple rough outings, and Hess’ quality start was his first since the no-hit bid in Toronto.

That meant long reliever Dan Straily, once a member of that struggling rotation, did not pitch this week.

After the Houston series, Hyde did not hesitate to say how valuable it would be for the rotation to continue to pitch at this level.

“It would mean everything,” he said. “I love the way our starters are throwing the ball and getting deep in the game. I was really encouraged by our bullpen this series. I thought we pitched great this series. I thought it was our best series of the year from a pitching standpoint. It’s very encouraging going forward.”

What wasn’t?

Although there have been occasional injury issues throughout the season, as there are with any team, the Orioles have to be thankful they will not play at Globe Life Park again.

In the final two games of their series with the Texas Rangers, the Orioles had five starters suffer some kind of injury. Dwight Smith Jr.’s concussion and DJ Stewart’s sprained right ankle landed them on the injured list. Pedro Severino (head) and Jonathan Villar (finger) missed a couple of games each. A foot injury didn’t keep Trey Mancini out of the lineup, but he was limited to designated hitter duty.

Cashner didn’t start against his former team in Arlington because of leg soreness and had his start pushed back two days. He exited after 87 pitches Saturday because of a “hot spot” on his middle finger, though both he and Hyde expressed confidence it would not cost him any time.

In a season in which so much else has gone wrong, this week it was health.

On the farm

Outfielder Austin Hays’ march back toward Camden Yards continued this week. He was promoted to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday and delivered two hits, then homered Sunday.

Hays is getting his first taste of Triple-A after bypassing the level in 2017 when the Orioles called him up to make him the first player in the 2016 MLB draft to reach the majors. He struggled there and dealt with injuries throughout last season, then began this year on the shelf because of a sprained thumb suffered late in a strong spring training.

Both Hyde and executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias have said the Orioles would like to see players enjoy sustained success in Triple-A before they get called up to the majors. Hays is off to a good start.

nruiz@baltsun.com

twitter.com/NathanSRuiz