The 2024 MLB postseason has officially commenced, and all eyes are on the Wild Card Series, which kicks off with an intriguing matchup between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals. As the best-of-three series gets underway, fans are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling showdown.
Orioles Secure Home Field Advantage
The Baltimore Orioles have clinched the No. 4 seed, which grants them home field advantage as they begin their postseason run. Baltimore's journey starts at Camden Yards, where Game 1 is set for Tuesday, October 1, at 4:08 p.m. ET. This marks Baltimore's second consecutive postseason appearance, and they come in with a chip on their shoulder after being swept in the ALDS last year by the Texas Rangers.
Leading the charge for the Orioles will be their ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes. Burnes has been a dominant force on the mound, boasting a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA. His ability to control the game from the start will be critical for Baltimore's chances of advancing.
Royals' Resurgence
On the other side of the diamond, the Kansas City Royals are experiencing a remarkable turnaround, making their first postseason appearance since their World Series triumph in 2015. Kansas City had a challenging season last year with 106 losses, but they've managed to flip the script in spectacular fashion. They are only the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason the year after a 100-loss season, joining the ranks of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins.
Kansas City's left-handed pitcher, Cole Ragans, is slated to face off against Burnes in Game 1. Ragans has put up impressive numbers this season with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. His performance will be pivotal as the Royals seek to extend their postseason run.
Key Players and Strategies
Both teams have significant players who will be instrumental in this series. For Baltimore, their offense has been surging, scoring 56 runs in the last 10 games of the regular season. Meanwhile, Kansas City will rely heavily on the performances of Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo. Notably, Ragans and Lugo are anticipated to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, underlying their importance to the Royals' success.
Kansas City also boasts a strategic edge on the basepaths, having swiped the third most bases among postseason teams. However, Baltimore's defense can counter this with a 20% caught stealing rate, setting up an intriguing battle of speed against precision.
A potential wildcard in the series could be Vinnie Pasquantino. Despite not having played since August 29 due to a broken thumb, Pasquantino has been working out and hitting, and his return could provide an unexpected boost for Kansas City.
Odds and Expectations
As the series gears up, the odds favor Baltimore with a line of -155, while Kansas City stands at +130. The over/under for the game is set at 7.0 runs, indicating a closely contested series where pitching duels could be the deciding factor.
Should the series extend to a deciding Game 3, Kansas City is expected to turn to Michael Wacha in a critical start. Baltimore, for their part, remains committed to Corbin Burnes taking the mound for Game 1, emphasizing their confidence in their ace.
The importance of this series cannot be overstated, as the winner will go on to face the New York Yankees in the ALDS. With both teams bringing compelling narratives and strong performances into the postseason, baseball fans are in for an exciting ride.
