2024 MLB Postseason Begins: Orioles and Royals Set for Wild Card Series
As the 2024 MLB postseason kicks off, all eyes are set on the upcoming Wild Card Series between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals. With both teams making headlines for various reasons, this best-of-three series promises to captivate baseball enthusiasts.
Series Details and Lineup
The action commences at Camden Yards, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 4:08 p.m. ET. Baltimore’s ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes, who boasts a 15-9 record and a 2.92 ERA, will be taking the mound. Kansas City counters with their left-hander Cole Ragans, who has had a solid season with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Burnes and Ragans are expected to play pivotal roles in their respective team's quest for advancement.
Baltimore's Recent Success
This marks Baltimore's second consecutive postseason appearance, a testament to their rising trajectory in recent years. Finishing second to the Yankees in the AL East with a 91-71 record, the Orioles have shown remarkable consistency. Their offense was particularly impressive towards the end of the regular season, scoring 56 runs in their final 10 games. However, last year’s postseason campaign was cut short when they were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers. The Orioles are undoubtedly keen on changing their fortunes this time around.
Kansas City’s Remarkable Turnaround
For the Royals, the 2024 postseason is especially significant. It's their first playoff appearance since their World Series triumph in 2015 and marks a dramatic turnaround for a team that endured 106 losses just last season. Kansas City joins the ranks of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins as the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason the year after a 100-loss season. This remarkable achievement highlights the resilience and determination of the Royals organization.
Key Players to Watch
Kansas City will be relying heavily on the performances of stalwarts like Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and their stellar pitching duo, Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo. Both Ragans and Lugo are anticipated to be in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, underscoring their critical roles in the Royals' resurgence.
One intriguing element in this series is Baltimore's defense, which has a 20% caught stealing rate, pitted against a Kansas City team that swiped the third most bases among postseason teams. This battle on the basepaths will be a key storyline to follow, especially given Kansas City's aggressive baserunning strategy.
Injuries and Strategy
Injury concerns also loom over the series. Kansas Kingdom's Vinnie Pasquantino, sidelined since Aug. 29 with a broken thumb, has been working out and hitting, but his status for the series remains uncertain. For Baltimore, confirming Corbin Burnes for Game 1 indicates their strategic intent to capitalize on their ace's prowess early in the series. Should the series extend to three games, Michael Wacha is slated to take the mound, providing Baltimore with a reliable option in a decisive situation.
Odds and Stakes
The series odds are currently set at (BAL -155 | KC +130) with an over/under of 7.0 runs. Baltimore enters the series as the favorite, but given Kansas City's incredible turnaround season, the Royals cannot be underestimated. The winner of this Wild Card showdown will advance to face the New York Yankees in the ALDS, adding another layer of anticipation and excitement to an already thrilling postseason kickoff.
With a blend of seasoned talent, emerging stars, and high stakes, the Orioles and Royals Wild Card Series is poised to deliver top-tier baseball action. As the first pitch approaches, fans from both sides eagerly await what promises to be a memorable and hard-fought series.
Let the 2024 postseason begin.