The 2024 MLB postseason begins this week with the best-of-three Wild Card Series. The No. 4 Baltimore Orioles will host the No. 5 Kansas City Royals at Camden Yards this week, and the winner will advance to play the New York Yankees in the best-of-five ALDS. This is Baltimore’s second straight postseason berth and Kansas City’s first since 2015.
Here is the Wild Card Series schedule:
|
Game 1 |
Tues., Oct. 1 |
4:08 p.m. ET |
ESPN2/fubo (try for free) |
|
Game 2 |
Weds., Oct. 2 |
4:38 p.m. ET |
ESPN/fubo (try for free) |
|
Game 3 (if necessary) |
Thurs., Oct. 3 |
4:08 p.m. ET |
ESPN/fubo (try for free) |
Where to watch
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 1 | Time: 4:08 p.m. ET
Location: Camden Yards (Baltimore)
Channel: ESPN2 | Stream: fubo
The Royals have announced Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, and Michael Wacha will start Games 1-3 in that order. The Orioles will give the ball to Corbin Burnes in Game 1. They have not yet announced their starters for the rest of the Wild Card Series, though it’s a safe bet it will be Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer, likely in that order.
Here now is what you need to know about each team heading into the Wild Card Series.
Orioles: Truth be told, this was a disappointing season for the O’s. They’re in the postseason, so it’s not like it was a bad season, but after winning 101 games last year and having the game’s top farm system, they were expected to take a step forward, or at least remain among the game’s truly elite teams. Furthermore, the Os’ were swept out of the ALDS by the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers last year, which had to leave a bad taste in their mouths. Rather than build on last season, Baltimore went 91-71 and finished second to the Yankees in the AL East.
Things behind anew in the postseason, however, and the O’s enter the postseason with a strong 1-2 punch atop the rotation (Burnes and Eflin) and one of the deepest lineups in the game. Eight Orioles batted at least 400 times this season and all eight had at least a 106 OPS+. Jordan Westburg returned from his broken hand near the end of the regular season and his presence transforms the offense. Baltimore scored 56 runs in their final 10 games. With a shaky bullpen and some rotation questions behind Burnes and Eflin, the offense will have to lead the way for Baltimore.
Royals: A year ago, Kansas City lost 106 games, the most in franchise history. Now they’re a postseason team. The Royals are the third team in the Expansion Era (since 1961) to reach the postseason a year after losing 100 games, joining the 2017 Minnesota Twins and the 2020 Miami Marlins in the COVID-shortened season. This is their first postseason berth since their 2015 World Series championship year. Heck, it’s the first time the Royals have posted a winning record since then.
Led by the peerless Bobby Witt Jr. — seriously, what is his flaw? — the Royals stole the third most bases among postseason teams, which may be something they can exploit against the Orioles. Baltimore had a slightly below league average 20% caught stealing rate. Kansas City will lean on Witt, Salvador Perez, and the 1-2 punch of Ragans and Lugo. Those two both figure to finish in the top five of the Cy Young voting. Also, will Vinnie Pasquantino return this series? He has not played since an errant pitch broke his thumb on Aug. 29. Pasquantino has been working out and hitting and could return this week, and really boost the lineup.
