The 2024 MLB postseason has kicked off with anticipation and excitement as fans gear up for the Wild Card Series, which is set to be an electrifying best-of-three showdown. The Baltimore Orioles, who have clinched the No. 4 seed, are set to face the No. 5 seed Kansas City Royals at Camden Yards. This matchup is particularly intriguing given the contrasting trajectories of the two teams over the past few seasons.
The Teams: A Closer Look
Baltimore enters the postseason for the second consecutive year, a testament to their consistent performance. The Orioles finished second in the AL East with a 91-71 record, just behind the Yankees. Their offense was particularly potent down the stretch, amassing 56 runs in the final 10 games of the regular season. Last year, their postseason run was cut short as they were swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers.
In contrast, the Kansas City Royals are experiencing postseason baseball for the first time since their World Series triumph in 2015. Remarkably, this comes on the heels of a 106-loss season, making them only the third team in the Expansion Era to reach the postseason following a 100-loss season. Previous teams achieving this feat were the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins.
Key Players to Watch
Baltimore will rely heavily on their ace, RHP Corbin Burnes, who has had a standout season with a 15-9 record and a 2.92 ERA. Burnes is confirmed to start Game 1, setting the tone for the series. If the series extends to a decisive Game 3, veteran Michael Wacha is slated to take the mound.
On the Royals' side, left-hander Cole Ragans will lead the charge in Game 1, bringing an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Ragans, along with teammate Seth Lugo, is anticipated to be in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, underlining their importance to Kansas City's pitching rotation. Offensively, the Royals will bank on the prowess of Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez, central figures in their lineup.
A notable absence for the Royals is Vinnie Pasquantino, who has been sidelined since Aug. 29 due to a broken thumb. However, recent updates indicate he has been working out and hitting, suggesting he might make a return if the Royals advance further.
Strategic Matchups
One of the critical factors in this series will be the Royals' aggressive baserunning. Kansas City swiped the third-most bases among postseason teams this year, showcasing their speed and willingness to take risks on the base paths. Baltimore, however, presents a formidable challenge with a defense that has a 20% caught stealing rate, making for an intriguing cat-and-mouse game on the bases.
Offensively, Baltimore has shown they can score in bunches, but they will need to be at their best to overcome Kansas City's pitching aces. The oddsmakers currently favor Baltimore with odds of -155 to Kansas City's +130, highlighting the belief in Baltimore's overall team balance and home-field advantage.
The over/under is set at 7.0 runs, suggesting a tightly contested series where pitching and key defensive plays could very well determine the outcome rather than high-scoring affairs.
What’s at Stake
The winner of this series will face the New York Yankees in the ALDS. For Baltimore, it's a chance to avenge their early exit from last year's postseason and prove they can go toe-to-toe with the powerhouse Yankees. For Kansas City, advancing would further validate their remarkable turnaround from a 100-loss season, adding another chapter to an already storied franchise history.
As we approach Game 1 on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 4:08 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on Camden Yards. This series not only promises high-octane baseball but also embodies the drama and unpredictability that October baseball is renowned for. Both sets of fans will be hoping their team can seize the moment and march on towards glory.