MLB Postseason Kicks Off with Baltimore Orioles Taking on Kansas City Royals
The 2024 MLB postseason has officially begun, launching with a highly anticipated Wild Card Series. This best-of-three set sees the No. 4 seed Baltimore Orioles clashing against the No. 5 seed Kansas City Royals, poised to start at Camden Yards. Game 1 is scheduled to unfold on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 4:08 p.m. ET, thrilling fans with a showdown of pitching prowess.
Pitching Matchup
Baltimore's ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes, comes into the series with an impressive regular season record of 15-9 and a solid 2.92 ERA. The Orioles have high hopes pinned on Burnes, whose consistency and skill on the mound have been instrumental in securing their second consecutive postseason berth.
Facing off from Kansas City's side will be left-hander Cole Ragans, who ended his season with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Ragans has also been a cornerstone for the Royals, adding excitement to their first postseason appearance since their 2015 World Series triumph. Ragans and teammate Seth Lugo are both anticipated to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, showcasing the depth of Kansas City's pitching talents.
Teams' Journeys
The Orioles, finishing second to the Yankees in the AL East with a 91-71 record, are determined to advance further than last year when they were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers. This season, they concluded their regular schedule with a potent offensive surge, scoring 56 runs in their final 10 games.
The Royals' path to the postseason has been particularly remarkable given that they suffered 106 losses just last season. They are only the third team in the Expansion Era to manage a playoff berth following a 100-loss season, joining the ranks of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins. This turnaround speaks volumes about the resilience and tenacity of the Kansas City squad.
Key Players to Watch
Baltimore's strategy is straightforward: rely on their defense and Burnes’ dominance on the mound in Game 1. Conversely, Kansas City will be looking closely at contributions from standout players like Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo. Despite Vinnie Pasquantino's absence from the lineup since Aug. 29 due to a broken thumb, he has been actively working out and hitting, and his return could be a crucial factor for the Royals.
Offensively, Kansas City has demonstrated agility and speed, swiping the third most bases among postseason teams. They will aim to exploit Baltimore’s 20% caught stealing rate. Meanwhile, the Orioles’ defense is expected to be tested, requiring cohesion and sharp execution under high-stakes pressure.
Series Dynamics and Odds
The series opener's odds stand with Baltimore slightly favored at BAL -155, while Kansas City is at KC +130. Additionally, the over/under is set at 7.0 runs, a betting line that suggests a close, competitive series. The stakes are significant as the winner of this Wild Card Series will move on to face the formidable New York Yankees in the ALDS.
If the series extends to three games, Michael Wacha has been lined up to take the mound, ensuring that Baltimore is well-prepared for a prolonged series. The odds, schedule, and runtime intrigue emphasize the potential tightness and unpredictability of this postseason clash.
The opening game at Camden Yards is not just a test of individual mettle but a battle of two contrasting team narratives—Baltimore’s quest to advance deeper than last year and Kansas City’s remarkable comeback from a 100-loss season. As the first pitch draws near, fans from both sides eagerly await what promises to be an electrifying start to the MLB postseason.