The 2024 MLB postseason has officially kicked off, marking the beginning of the highly anticipated Wild Card Series. This year's format is a best-of-three showdown, promising fans an intense and nail-biting start to October baseball.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals
The Baltimore Orioles have secured the No. 4 seed and will be hosting the Kansas City Royals, who clinched the No. 5 seed, at Camden Yards. Game 1 is set for Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 4:08 p.m. ET, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Baltimore's ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes, is slated to take the mound in Game 1. Burnes, who boasts an impressive 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA this season, will be a formidable opponent for the Royals' lineup. Kansas City will counter with left-hander Cole Ragans, who has also had a solid year, posting an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Both pitchers will have a significant role in determining the initial momentum of the series.
Orioles’ Recent Postseason Experiences
This marks Baltimore's second consecutive postseason appearance. Last season, the Orioles finished second in the AL East, behind only the New York Yankees, with a respectable 91-71 record. However, their postseason journey was cut short when they were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers. This year, the Orioles are determined to advance further and erase the bitter memories of their early exit.
Offensively, Baltimore appears to be peaking at the right time. They scored 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season, showcasing their ability to generate runs when it matters most. With solid pitching and a potent offense, the Orioles will be a difficult team to beat in this year's playoffs.
A Royals’ Resurgence
For the Kansas City Royals, this postseason berth brings a fresh wave of excitement. The franchise returns to the playoffs for the first time since their World Series triumph in 2015. The road back has been anything but smooth, as the Royals endured a dismal 106-loss season just a year ago. Incredibly, they have become only the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason immediately following a 100-loss season, joining the ranks of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins.
Kansas City is heavily reliant on key players such as 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, highlighting their invaluable contributions to the pitching staff. With these stars leading the way, the Royals have the potential to create significant postseason upsets.
Defensive and Strategic Matchup
Defense will also play a crucial role in this series. Kansas City excelled in base-stealing during the regular season, swiping the third most bases among postseason teams. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s defense managed a 20% caught stealing rate, setting up an intriguing cat-and-mouse game on the basepaths.
As for Game 3, if it becomes necessary, the Royals will turn to Michael Wacha to take the mound, while the Orioles have confirmed Corbin Burnes to lead off Game 1. Such critical decisions will heavily influence the outcome of this closely matched series.
Odds and Stakes
The betting odds for the series have Baltimore favored at -155, with Kansas City coming in at +130. The over/under is set at 7.0 runs, indicating expectations of a closely contested and potentially low-scoring series.
The stakes couldn't be higher, as the winner of this Wild Card Series will move on to face the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Both teams have much to prove, and their previous journeys—to the playoffs and beyond—only add to the rich tapestry of this compelling postseason matchup.
As the Orioles and Royals prepare to square off, baseball fans around the world are gearing up for a series that promises intensity, drama, and the kind of unpredictable excitement that only October baseball can deliver.