The 2024 MLB postseason has officially begun, and fans are eagerly anticipating the Wild Card Series showdown between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals. This best-of-three series promises to be a thrilling battle, as both teams bring compelling stories and standout performances to Camden Yards.
Matchup Overview
The Orioles have secured the No. 4 seed with a 91-71 record, finishing second in the competitive AL East. On the other hand, the Royals have clinched the No. 5 seed, marking their return to postseason excitement for the first time since their World Series victory in 2015. Kansas City's resurgence is particularly notable, as they endured a 106-loss season just last year, becoming only the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason following a 100-loss season. This remarkable turnaround places them in the company of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins.
Pitching Matchups
Game 1, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 4:08 p.m. ET, will see Baltimore's ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes, take the mound. Burnes has been a dominant force this season, boasting a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA. The Orioles hope that his stellar performance will continue to anchor their postseason run. Kansas City will counter with left-hander Cole Ragans, who posted an impressive 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Ragans, alongside Seth Lugo, is anticipated to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, underscoring his pivotal role in the Royals’ success.
If the series extends to a decisive Game 3, Baltimore will likely turn to Michael Wacha, while Kansas City has yet to announce their potential starter. Both teams will be strategizing carefully with the stakes so high.
Key Players and Stats
Baltimore's offense has shown its strength by scoring 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season. The Orioles will look to capitalize on this momentum as they face a resilient Royals squad. Conversely, Kansas City is relying on key players such as Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo to deliver pivotal performances. The Royals also possess a notable advantage on the bases, having swiped the third most among postseason teams. However, they'll need to be wary of Baltimore's defense, which has a 20% caught stealing rate.
A significant storyline to watch is the status of Vinnie Pasquantino. The Royals' infielder has not played since Aug. 29 due to a broken thumb but has been actively working out and hitting. His ability to return to form could be a game-changer for Kansas City's lineup.
This marks Baltimore's second consecutive postseason berth. Last year, the Orioles were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers, a fate they are determined to avoid this time around. The fans at Camden Yards will no doubt provide a fervent home-field advantage as the Orioles aim to advance further in the playoffs.
Odds and Expectations
Las Vegas oddsmakers have set the odds for the series at BAL -155, KC +130, with an over/under of 7.0 runs. These metrics reflect a slight favoritism towards Baltimore, but the Royals’ underdog story and recent turnaround cannot be overlooked. The winner of this series will earn the right to face the New York Yankees in the ALDS, adding an extra layer of intensity to an already high-stakes matchup.
The stage is set for an electrifying series between two teams with much to prove. The Orioles, driven by seasoned postseason aspirations, and the Royals, fueled by a dramatic comeback narrative, promise to deliver a spectacle worthy of October baseball. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as these teams vie for a spot in the next round of the playoffs.