The 2024 MLB postseason has officially begun, and the spotlight is now on the Wild Card Series, featuring a best-of-three showdown between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals. Camden Yards will serve as the battleground, with Game 1 set to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 4:08 p.m. ET.
Teams in Focus
The Baltimore Orioles, who have secured the No. 4 seed, are entering their second consecutive postseason. Last year, they were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers, but this season they hope to go deeper after finishing second to the Yankees in the AL East with a 91-71 record. The Orioles' offense has been hot lately, scoring 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season, a momentum they aim to carry into the postseason.
The Kansas City Royals, on the other hand, are experiencing postseason excitement for the first time since their World Series win in 2015. They earned the No. 5 seed, a remarkable turnaround considering they suffered 106 losses last season. Kansas City becomes the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason following a year with 100 or more losses, joining the ranks of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins.
Key Players and Strategies
Baltimore's pitching staff will be led by their ace, RHP Corbin Burnes, who posted an impressive 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA this season. Burnes will take the mound for Game 1, aiming to stifle Kansas City's lineup. Should Game 3 be necessary, Michael Wacha is prepared to take up the challenge.
Kansas City will counter with their standout left-hander, Cole Ragans, who put up an 11-9 record with a 3.14 ERA. Ragans, along with Seth Lugo, is anticipated to finish in the top five of this year's Cy Young voting, highlighting the strength of Kansas City's pitching staff. The Royals will rely heavily on the contributions of Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo.
Pre-game Dynamics
The Orioles' defense has maintained a 20% caught stealing rate, which could be tested by Kansas City's aggressive baserunning—the Royals swiped the third most bases among postseason teams. This element of the game will be crucial in defining the series, as small advantages may tip the scales in these tightly contested games.
Vinnie Pasquantino represents a wildcard for Kansas City. Although he has been out of commission since Aug. 29 due to a broken thumb, he has been actively working out and hitting, potentially adding a valuable bat to the lineup if he is deemed fit to play.
Betting Odds and Stakes
The betting odds slightly favor Baltimore, with odds set at (BAL -155 | KC +130). The over/under for the series stands at 7.0 runs, reflecting the anticipated intensity and competitive balance of this matchup. The winner of this Wild Card Series will face a formidable opponent in the New York Yankees in the ALDS, raising the stakes for both teams to advance and make a deeper postseason run.
As the innings unfold at Camden Yards, fans will witness a riveting clash between a seasoned Baltimore squad eager for redemption and a rejuvenated Kansas City team looking to defy the odds. This Wild Card Series is set to deliver the high drama and excitement that epitomize October baseball.