Wild Card Showdown Set: Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals
The 2024 MLB postseason is officially underway, and the stage is set for a thrilling Wild Card Series between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals. The best-of-three series will kick off at Camden Yards, promising high-stakes action as both teams vie for a shot at advancing to the American League Division Series (ALDS).
Baltimore’s Strengths and Struggles
The Baltimore Orioles enter the postseason as the No. 4 seed, securing their second consecutive playoff berth. Last year, they finished with a 91-71 record, second only to the Yankees in the AL East. Despite this solid performance, their playoff journey was cut short when they were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers. This year, they’re hungry for redemption.
Leading the charge for Baltimore is their ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes. Burnes has been a standout performer this season, posting a 15-9 record with a stellar 2.92 ERA. Fans can look forward to seeing him on the mound for Game 1, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 4:08 p.m. ET. The Orioles have shown potent offensive capabilities as well, scoring 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season. However, their defense, with a 20% caught stealing rate, will need to be on high alert against Kansas City’s aggressive base-running tactics.
Kansas City’s Remarkable Turnaround
The Kansas City Royals have had a whirlwind season, experiencing postseason excitement for the first time since their World Series win in 2015. Remarkably, this comes on the heels of a dismal 106-loss season. Their dramatic turnaround places them in the company of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins as one of the few teams in the Expansion Era to make the postseason a year after enduring a 100-loss season.
Kansas City has secured the No. 5 seed and will rely heavily on players like Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo. The pitching prowess of Ragans has been instrumental for Kansas City; the left-hander finished the season with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Both Ragans and Lugo are anticipated to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, reflecting their significant impact on the team's success.
Pivotal Players and Key Matchups
As the series opens, all eyes will be on the starting pitchers. Corbin Burnes, with his impressive record, will aim to set the tone for Baltimore in Game 1. Kansas City counters with Cole Ragans, whose performances have bolstered the Royals' playoff push. If the series extends to a decisive Game 3, Baltimore’s Michael Wacha is slated to take the mound.
The Orioles must also keep an eye on Vinnie Pasquantino, who has not played since Aug. 29 due to a broken thumb. However, Pasquantino has been working out and hitting, potentially adding depth to Kansas City’s lineup if he returns to the field. Additionally, Baltimore’s defense will be tested as Kansas City, known for their aggressive base running, swiped the third most bases among postseason teams this year.
The betting odds for the series position Baltimore as the favorite with a line of -155, while Kansas City stands at +130. The over/under for the series is set at 7.0 runs, indicating expectations of closely contested games.
The Road Ahead
The winner of this Wild Card Series will face a significant challenge in the ALDS against the New York Yankees, a team that has consistently set the bar high in the American League. Both the Orioles and the Royals are acutely aware that they must bring their best game to advance past this pivotal series.
Fans and analysts alike are gearing up for what promises to be an enthralling matchup. Baltimore’s quest for redemption and Kansas City’s fairytale comeback set the stage for a captivating series that exemplifies the drama and unpredictability of postseason baseball.