The 2024 MLB postseason is officially underway, bringing with it a thrilling matchup between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals in the Wild Card Series. This best-of-three series promises to be an exciting showdown, commencing at Camden Yards.
Setting the Stage: Team and Player Profiles
The Baltimore Orioles, securing the No. 4 seed, are no strangers to postseason play. This marks their second consecutive berth, a testament to their consistency and determination. Last year, the Orioles finished second to the Yankees in the AL East with a 91-71 record but faced an early exit after being swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders lately, scoring 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season.
Leading Baltimore's charge on the mound is their ace, RHP Corbin Burnes, who posted a solid 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA throughout the season. Burnes has been confirmed as the starter for Game 1, highlighting Baltimore’s strategic approach to starting the series strong.
In contrast, the Kansas City Royals are making waves with their return to the postseason for the first time since their World Series victory in 2015. This season has been a dramatic turnaround for the Royals, who had 106 losses last season. They become the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason a year after a 100-loss season, joining the ranks of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins.
Kansas City’s success this season can be partly attributed to the performance of their left-hander, Cole Ragans, who holds an 11-9 record with a 3.14 ERA. Ragans, along with Seth Lugo, is anticipated to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, showcasing the strength of Kansas City's pitching staff.
Key Players to Watch
For Baltimore, all eyes will be on Corbin Burnes as he takes the mound for the pivotal Game 1. Additionally, their defense, which boasts a 20% caught stealing rate, will be crucial in neutralizing Kansas City’s aggressive base running strategy, as the Royals swiped the third most bases among postseason teams.
Kansas City’s lineup brings a mix of young talent and seasoned veterans. Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez are expected to play crucial roles, alongside pitchers Ragans and Lugo. Despite Vinnie Pasquantino missing action since August 29 due to a broken thumb, he has been actively working out and hitting, possibly gearing up for a return that could impact the series.
The Matchup and Strategy
Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1, at 4:08 p.m. ET and will set the tone for this high-stakes encounter. If necessary, Michael Wacha is slated to take the mound for Game 3, indicating that both teams are prepared for the long haul.
The Orioles have home-field advantage and will look to leverage their recent offensive surge and solid starting pitching to put the Royals on the back foot. Kansas City, on the other hand, will need to rely on their key players and pitching prowess to overcome Baltimore's strengths.
Beyond the Wild Card
The winner of this series will face the formidable New York Yankees in the ALDS, adding an extra layer of intensity to every pitch, swing, and defensive play. The odds are currently favoring Baltimore (BAL -155 | KC +130) with an over/under of 7.0 runs, indicating a closely contested series filled with potential surprises.
As the postseason action unfolds, fans can expect a captivating display of baseball, full of suspense and spectacular moments that define October baseball. Both teams have compelling storylines—Baltimore's quest for redemption and Kansas City's remarkable turnaround season—ensuring that this Wild Card clash will be one to remember.