The 2024 MLB postseason is officially in full swing, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating Wild Card Series. The Baltimore Orioles, boasting the No. 4 seed, will battle it out with the No. 5 seed Kansas City Royals in a best-of-three series.
Series Kicks Off at Camden Yards
The showdown will commence at Baltimore’s iconic Camden Yards, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 4:08 p.m. ET. Baltimore's pitching ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes, will take the mound, bringing with him an impressive 15-9 record and a 2.92 ERA. On the other side, Kansas City’s Cole Ragans, a left-hander with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA, is set to challenge Burnes.
This postseason appearance marks Baltimore’s second consecutive berth, while Kansas City is back in the limelight for the first time since their triumphant World Series win in 2015. Remarkably, the Royals are turning heads, having bounced back from a dismal 106-loss season just a year ago. They join the ranks of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins as the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason following a 100-loss season.
Orioles and Royals: A Tale of Two Seasons
The Orioles wrapped up their regular season with a commendable 91-71 record, finishing second to the Yankees in the AL East. Their offense, fueled by a late surge, managed to score 56 runs in their final 10 games. However, last year’s postseason exit was less than stellar, as they were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers.
Meanwhile, Kansas City’s resurgence can be attributed to key players like Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo. Their combined efforts have rejuvenated the Royals, with both Ragans and Lugo expected to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting. Despite being without Vinnie Pasquantino since Aug. 29 due to a broken thumb, Pasquantino has been diligently working out and hitting, adding a glimmer of hope to Kansas City's postseason aspirations.
Key Matchups to Watch
As the series unfolds, several key matchups will be pivotal. Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes will have to navigate a Kansas City lineup that has been effective on the base paths, swiping the third most bases among postseason teams. Baltimore’s defense, with a 20% caught stealing rate, will be tested.
The odds tilt slightly in favor of Baltimore with a line of BAL -155 against KC +130, and the over/under is set at 7.0 runs, indicating a potentially tight, low-scoring affair. Should the series extend to a decisive Game 3, Michael Wacha is poised to take the mound for Kansas City, adding another layer of intrigue to this postseason clash.
Postseason Stakes and Beyond
The stakes couldn't be higher, as the winner of this series will advance to face the New York Yankees in the ALDS, setting the stage for even more high-octane baseball drama. Baltimore’s fans are hopeful for a deeper run after last year’s early exit, while Kansas City’s loyal supporters are relishing their return to postseason glory.
As the first pitch approaches, all eyes will be on Camden Yards to see if Baltimore can leverage their home-field advantage or if Kansas City’s remarkable turnaround season will continue its fairy-tale narrative. With both teams fielding formidable lineups and ace pitchers, this Wild Card Series promises to be a classic October showdown.
Stay tuned for what is sure to be a thrilling opening chapter in the 2024 MLB postseason.