The 2024 MLB postseason has officially begun, and the Wild Card Series is already capturing the attention of baseball fans. In a compelling matchup, the Baltimore Orioles, securing the No. 4 seed, are set to face off against the No. 5 seed, the Kansas City Royals, in a best-of-three series that promises excitement and competition. The series will commence at Camden Yards, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 4:08 p.m. ET.
Ace Showdown: Burnes vs. Ragans
All eyes will be on the pitching duel between Baltimore's ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes, and Kansas City’s left-handed standout, Cole Ragans. Burnes, who has posted an impressive 15-9 record this season with a 2.92 ERA, will take the mound for the Orioles in Game 1. Meanwhile, Ragans, sporting an 11-9 record with a 3.14 ERA, will aim to give Kansas City a strong start. This pairing sets the stage for a thrilling contest between two of the league's top pitchers.
A Tale of Two Teams
For Baltimore, this series marks their second consecutive postseason berth, a testament to the team's consistent performance. The Orioles finished second to the Yankees in the AL East with a solid 91-71 record. However, they are undoubtedly looking to improve upon last year’s postseason, where they were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers. Encouragingly, Baltimore's offense has shown signs of life, scoring 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season.
On the other hand, the Kansas City Royals are basking in the excitement of their first postseason appearance since their World Series win in 2015. This achievement comes as a remarkable turnaround for a team that recorded 106 losses last season. Kansas City has joined a select group of clubs to make the postseason a year following a 100-loss season—a feat previously accomplished only by the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins. The Royals' transformation has been nothing short of remarkable, and they are keen on extending their postseason journey.
Key Players and Strategies
Kansas City’s renewed success can largely be attributed to key players like Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo. Both Ragans and Lugo are anticipated to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, underscoring their pivotal roles in the team's resurgence. However, the Royals will be without Vinnie Pasquantino, who has not played since Aug. 29 due to a broken thumb, though he has been working out and hitting in his recovery process.
The Royals also bring an aggressive base-stealing aspect to their game, having swiped the third most bases among postseason teams. In contrast, Baltimore’s defense comes into play with a 20% caught stealing rate, setting up an intriguing tactical battle on the basepaths.
The Betting Line
For those looking at the odds, Baltimore is favored with the line set at BAL -155, while Kansas City stands at KC +130. The over/under for the series is pegged at 7.0 runs, indicating an expectation for closely contested games. Should the series extend to a third game, Michael Wacha is slated to be the starter for Kansas City.
What’s at Stake
The winner of this Wild Card Series will advance to face the formidable New York Yankees in the ALDS. Both teams aim to seize this opportunity and create memorable postseason moments, with fans eagerly anticipating which team will emerge victorious.
As the tension builds and the teams prepare to take the field, the 2024 MLB postseason promises to deliver an enthralling series that celebrates the highs and challenges of the sport. Baseball aficionados can brace themselves for a showcase of skill, strategy, and the unyielding spirit of competition that defines Major League Baseball.