The 2024 MLB postseason is officially underway, marking an electrifying start to the most anticipated weeks in baseball. A significant spotlight shines on the Wild Card Series, which adopts a best-of-three format, ensuring a do-or-die atmosphere for the contending teams.
Orioles and Royals Set for Clash
In a much-anticipated matchup, the Baltimore Orioles, who have secured the No. 4 seed, will square off against the Kansas City Royals, the No. 5 seed. The series will kick off at the storied Camden Yards, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 4:08 p.m. ET. The Orioles, fresh from a second consecutive postseason berth, are eager to prove their mettle after being swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers last year.
Pitching Duel: Burnes vs. Ragans
All eyes will be on the mound as Baltimore's ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes, with a stellar 15-9 record and a 2.92 ERA, takes the ball for Game 1. No stranger to high-pressure games, Burnes is expected to set the tone early for the Orioles. On the opposite side, Kansas City's left-hander Cole Ragans, who posted an 11-9 record with a 3.14 ERA, will aim to counter Baltimore's mighty offense. Ragans, along with teammate Seth Lugo, is anticipated to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, adding more intrigue to this pivotal pitching duel.
Backstory of Triumph
For the Orioles, 2024 marks another chapter in their pursuit of postseason glory. They finished a commendable second to the Yankees in the AL East with a 91-71 record. A significant factor in their success has been their robust offense, which scored a remarkable 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season.
On the other side, the Royals have a narrative filled with resilience and resurgence. Kansas City, experiencing postseason excitement for the first time since their World Series triumph in 2015, clawed their way back from a dismal 106-loss season last year. They are now the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason following a 100-loss season, joining the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins in this rare achievement.
Key Players on the Radar
Baltimore will heavily rely on their defensive prowess, which boasts a 20% caught stealing rate, to stifle Kansas City's aggressive baserunning strategy. The Royals swiped the third most bases among postseason teams, a testament to their aggressive approach on the basepaths.
Kansas City’s lineup will look to impactful performances from stars like Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez. Additionally, the return of Vinnie Pasquantino, who has been sidelined since Aug. 29 due to a broken thumb, could provide a much-needed boost if he manages to return to form.
Odds and Stakes
The betting odds reflect a tight contest, with Baltimore being the slight favorites (BAL -155) while Kansas City stands at +130. The over/under for the game is set at 7.0 runs, indicating expectations for a close and possibly low-scoring affair. With every pitch and every at-bat carrying immense significance, anticipation is building to see who will seize the upper hand in this crucial series.
Looking Ahead
The stakes are exceptionally high, as the winner of this series will advance to face the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Both Baltimore and Kansas City know that the path to World Series glory is fraught with challenges, but both teams have shown resilience and excellence that promise an electrifying contest. The Orioles, hungry for redemption after last year’s ALDS exit, and the Royals, revelling in their comeback narrative, are set to deliver a postseason series to remember.