The 2024 MLB postseason is here, and it couldn’t have started with a more captivating matchup: the Baltimore Orioles versus the Kansas City Royals in the Wild Card Series. This best-of-three series promises to be a thrilling encounter, commencing at Camden Yards, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday, October 1, at 4:08 p.m. ET.
The Journey to the Postseason
Baltimore secured the No. 4 seed after a stellar regular season where they finished second to the Yankees in the AL East with a 91-71 record. This marks their second consecutive postseason appearance, a testament to their growing consistency and resilience. Last year, their journey was cut short by a sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers in the ALDS, but the Orioles have returned stronger and more focused.
Leading the charge for Baltimore is their ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes, who boasts an impressive 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA. Burnes will be crucial in Baltimore's bid to advance past Kansas City, having been confirmed as the starter for Game 1. The Orioles’ offense also carries considerable momentum, having amassed 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season.
Kansas City's Cinderella Story
The Kansas City Royals enter the postseason as the No. 5 seed, marking their first taste of October baseball since their illustrious World Series win in 2015. Their journey to the postseason is nothing short of remarkable, considering they recorded 106 losses just last season. This turnaround sees them becoming only the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason a year after suffering a 100-loss season, following in the footsteps of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins.
Left-hander Cole Ragans will be pivotal for Kansas City on the mound. Ragans posted an 11-9 record with a respectable 3.14 ERA and is expected to feature prominently in the Cy Young voting, alongside his teammate Seth Lugo. Kansas City's postseason excitement is palpable, and they will be relying heavily on key players like Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and Cole Ragans to fuel their aspirations.
Key Matchups and Strategies
The clash at Camden Yards will see Baltimore's strong defense, with a 20% caught stealing rate, pitted against Kansas City's aggressive base running, which saw them swipe the third most bases among postseason teams. This dynamic could play a significant role in the series’ outcome, adding an extra layer of intrigue.
For Baltimore, the offense's late-season surge could be a deciding factor. The Orioles need their lineup to remain hot to counter the Royals' formidable pitching, especially from the likes of Ragans and Lugo. On the other hand, Kansas City’s ability to manufacture runs, coupled with timely base running, will test Baltimore’s defensive mettle.
Player Updates and Betting Odds
One player to watch is Vinnie Pasquantino of Kansas City, who has been sidelined since August 29 due to a broken thumb. Pasquantino has resumed workouts and hitting, and his return could be a game-changer for the Royals. Meanwhile, Michael Wacha is slated to start for Kansas City in the crucial Game 3 if necessary, bringing another level of depth to their pitching arsenal.
As for the betting landscape, the odds favor Baltimore (BAL -155) over Kansas City (KC +130), with the over/under set at 7.0 runs. This indicates expectations of a tightly contested series, where every pitch, swing, and strategy will be crucial.
The Road Ahead
The victor of this Wild Card Series will advance to face the New York Yankees in the ALDS, setting the stage for an even more electrifying postseason narrative. Both Baltimore and Kansas City have storied legacies, and their current rosters are eager to write new chapters in their franchises’ histories.
The stakes are high, the excitement palpable, and the game’s finest are ready to leave it all on the field. The 2024 MLB postseason has arrived, and it begins with two teams hungry for glory, ready to etch their mark in baseball lore.