The 2024 MLB postseason is upon us, and excitement is building as the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals gear up for their Wild Card Series clash. This best-of-three series is set to commence at Camden Yards, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday, October 1 at 4:08 p.m. ET. Both teams have intriguing storylines that lead into this pivotal matchup.
Orioles Seeking Redemption
The Baltimore Orioles enter the postseason for the second consecutive year, having finished second in the AL East behind the New York Yankees with a 91-71 record. Last season's postseason run ended in disappointment as they were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers. This year, the Orioles are determined to change their fortunes and make a deeper playoff push.
Central to their efforts is their ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes. Burnes has had a standout season, posting a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA. Baltimore has confirmed Burnes as their starter for the first game of the series, where he will be tasked with setting the tone for the Orioles' postseason campaign.
Offensively, the Orioles have been on a tear, scoring 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season. This offensive burst will be crucial as they face a Kansas City pitching staff that features potential Cy Young candidates. Additionally, the Orioles' defense has a 20% caught stealing rate, which may play a significant role in containing Kansas City's aggressive base-running approach.
Royals' Remarkable Turnaround
The Kansas City Royals have staged an almost improbable journey to the postseason. Following a 106-loss season, they have become just the third team in the Expansion Era to make the playoffs a year after losing 100 or more games. The Royals, who haven’t seen postseason action since their 2015 World Series triumph, are now back in the mix and ready to make some noise.
The pitching duties for Kansas City in Game 1 will fall to left-hander Cole Ragans, who boasts an 11-9 record with a 3.14 ERA. Alongside Ragans, another key figure for the Royals is set to be reliever Seth Lugo. Both Ragans and Lugo are anticipated to finish in the top five of this year's Cy Young voting, underlining the strength of Kansas City's pitching as they head into this critical series.
Key Players and Strategies
Kansas City's roster features a blend of proven veterans and rising stars. Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez bring offensive firepower to the lineup, while Ragans and Lugo on the mound provide stability. The Royals have also been aggressive on the base paths, swiping the third-most bases among postseason teams, which could test Baltimore's defensive metrics.
One potential setback for Kansas City is the injury to Vinnie Pasquantino, who has not played since August 29 due to a broken thumb. Although Pasquantino has been working out and hitting, his availability and performance remain uncertain.
What’s at Stake
The stakes are high for both teams. The winner of this Wild Card Series will advance to face the New York Yankees in the ALDS. While the Orioles are looking to build on their recent postseason appearances and finally break through, the Royals are on a quest to complete their remarkable turnaround season with a deep playoff run.
Oddsmakers are leaning towards Baltimore, with the series odds sitting at BAL -155 and KC +130. The over/under for Game 1 is set at 7.0 runs, reflecting the potential for a tightly contested series.
As anticipation builds, fans of both teams are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an intense and exciting series. With both teams bringing unique strengths and storylines, the 2024 MLB postseason is off to an electrifying start.