2024 MLB Postseason Kicks Off with Baltimore and Kansas City in Wild Card Showdown
The 2024 Major League Baseball postseason has officially begun, and the Wild Card Series sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting baseball autumn. With the series being a best-of-three, the stakes are high from the outset. Camden Yards will be the buzzing epicenter of baseball as the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals clash for a chance to advance.
A Tale of Two Teams
The Baltimore Orioles, who secured the No. 4 seed, are entering their second consecutive postseason. Last year, their journey was cut short in the ALDS by the Texas Rangers, but with a record of 91-71 this season, they’re looking to make a deeper run. Baltimore finished second in the highly competitive AL East, just behind the New York Yankees.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals have made a remarkable turnaround from a dismal 2023 season where they suffered 106 losses. Securing the No. 5 seed, Kansas City is experiencing postseason baseball for the first time since their triumphant World Series win in 2015. They join the ranks of the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins as teams to make the postseason following a 100-loss season in the Expansion Era.
Pitching Matchups and Key Players
As Game 1 approaches, both teams are putting their best foot forward on the mound. Baltimore’s ace, right-hander Corbin Burnes, will start Game 1. Burnes has been a rock for the Orioles this season, compiling a 15-9 record with a 2.92 ERA. Across the diamond, Kansas City will counter with left-hander Cole Ragans, who posted an 11-9 record and a 3.14 ERA. Both pitchers have the potential to dominate, setting up an intriguing duel.
Game 1 is set for Tuesday, October 1, with a first pitch scheduled for 4:08 p.m. ET. Should the series extend to a Game 3, the Royals are expected to turn to Michael Wacha for the decisive matchup.
Offensive Dynamics
Baltimore's offense has been firing on all cylinders, scoring 56 runs in their final 10 games of the regular season. Notable contributions have come from throughout the lineup, demonstrating depth and versatility. The Orioles' defense also stands out, with a 20% caught stealing rate, making it difficult for Kansas City to capitalize on its speed. The Royals swiped the third most bases among postseason teams, showcasing an aggressive base-running strategy that might clash with Baltimore’s defensive prowess.
Kansas City’s lineup is anchored by key players Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Cole Ragans, and Seth Lugo. Expectations are high for Ragans and Lugo, who are both anticipated to finish in the top five of this year’s Cy Young voting, exemplifying Kansas City's blend of seasoned talent and youthful promise.
A significant storyline for the Royals is the status of Vinnie Pasquantino, who has not played since August 29 due to a broken thumb. Recently, Pasquantino has been working out and hitting, sparking hope that he might contribute if the Royals advance.
Series Outlook
The odds for the series currently favor the Orioles at -155, with the Royals at +130. The over/under for the series is set at 7.0 runs, suggesting a tightly contested and potentially low-scoring affair. The winner of this Wild Card Series will earn the right to face the New York Yankees in the ALDS, a formidable challenge for either team.
For the Orioles, advancing past the Wild Card would be a logical next step in their postseason progression after last year’s sweep out of the ALDS. For the Royals, this series represents a chance to cap off a stunning turnaround and recapture the postseason magic that last enveloped Kansas City fans nearly a decade ago.
As the first pitch looms, fans of both teams are bracing for a series brimming with narrative and potential. Whether it’s Baltimore’s quest for redemption or Kansas City’s Cinderella story, the 2024 MLB postseason is off to a thrilling start.