The excitement of October baseball has arrived as the 2024 MLB postseason officially kicks off, bringing a fresh wave of drama and anticipation. Spotlighting the Wild Card Series, we witness a gripping best-of-three showdown between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals.
Seeds and Stats
Securing the No. 4 seed, the Baltimore Orioles find themselves once again in the postseason hunt. With a commendable 91-71 record, they finished second in the fiercely competitive AL East, trailing the Yankees. This marks Baltimore's second consecutive postseason appearance after being swept out of the ALDS by the Texas Rangers last year. The Orioles enter the series with an offensive surge, having scored 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season.
In contrast, the Kansas City Royals clinched the No. 5 seed, returning to playoff action for the first time since their triumphant 2015 World Series win. Their postseason berth this year is particularly notable given their 106 losses in the previous season. Kansas City joins elite company as only the third team in the Expansion Era to make the postseason following a 100-loss year, following the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins.
Pitching Matchups
All eyes will be on Camden Yards as Game 1 unfolds on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 4:08 p.m. ET. Baltimore's starting pitcher has been confirmed as their ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes. Burnes has had a stellar season, boasting a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA. The Orioles will rely heavily on his ability to set the tone early in the series.
Facing off against Burnes will be Kansas City's left-hander, Cole Ragans. Ragans has impressed this season with an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. The Royals will look to Ragans, along with key contributors like Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, and Seth Lugo, to power them through the series. Both Ragans and Lugo are anticipated to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, underscoring their pivotal roles in Kansas City's postseason aspirations.
Key Players and Storylines
For Kansas City, this series signifies a remarkable turnaround and the culmination of a rebuilding process that has seen them emerge from the depths of a 106-loss season to playoff contenders. Bobby Witt Jr. has been a standout performer, while the veteran presence of Salvador Perez provides both leadership and offensive firepower. Additionally, Vinnie Pasquantino's return from a broken thumb could serve as an emotional lift and tactical advantage, should he take the field.
On the defensive side, Kansas City has demonstrated aggressive baserunning, swiping the third most bases among postseason teams. This could be a crucial factor, especially against Baltimore's defense which has managed a 20% caught stealing rate—an area they'll need to tighten up to counter the Royals' speed on the bases.
The Series Odds and Future Prospects
As for the betting landscape, the odds are tilted in favor of Baltimore at -155, with Kansas City at +130. The over/under for the series is set at 7.0 runs, reflecting expectations of tightly contested, lower-scoring games.
Baseball fans can expect a thrilling contest as both teams vie for the chance to advance to the ALDS, where the New York Yankees await. Should the series extend to a decisive Game 3, Kansas City's Michael Wacha is slated to take the mound, a move that could be crucial in their quest for advancement.
The 2024 postseason promises to deliver the drama and excitement that baseball aficionados crave. With Baltimore and Kansas City both eager to prove their mettle, this Wild Card Series stands as a testament to the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of playoff baseball.