The Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles are gearing up for the wildcard round of the American League playoffs this Tuesday afternoon in Baltimore. As the higher seed, the Orioles will host all three games if the series extends to a deciding game. Baltimore concluded the regular season with a commendable record of 91-71, narrowly missing out on the AL East Division title. In a remarkable turnaround, the Royals secured a wildcard position this year with an 86-76 record, bouncing back from a challenging 100-loss season last year. The opening game will showcase Royals’ left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14 ERA) against the Orioles’ seasoned righty Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92 ERA). The first pitch is set for 4:00 PM EST.
Royals Rely on Young Talent with Ragans on the Mound
The Kansas City Royals are entering their wildcard series against the Baltimore Orioles with a sense of determination. After a dismal 2023 season, the Royals have emerged as a competitive force this year, led by MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. and a strong starting rotation. Notably, the Royals finished 13th in the league for runs scored and 10th in batting average. They are also monitoring the status of first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who contributed significantly to the team’s offensive efforts before his injury. The Royals had a road record of 41-40 this season and faced the Orioles with a 2-4 record.
In game one, the Royals will entrust the pitching duties to Cole Ragans, who has been a standout player since joining the team last year. With an impressive 11-9 record and 21 quality starts in 32 appearances, Ragans has proven to be a reliable ace. He finished the season with a 3.14 ERA and a WHIP of 1.14, accumulating 223 strikeouts over 186 innings pitched. Despite his overall success, Ragans has struggled against the Orioles this season, posting an 0-1 record with a 7.88 ERA in two starts against them.
*As of this writing, the Royals have not officially announced their complete wildcard roster.
Orioles Trust Burnes to Lead the Charge
The Baltimore Orioles may not have achieved their goal of winning back-to-back AL East Division titles, but they are back in the postseason for a second year in a row. The Orioles possess a powerful lineup highlighted by right fielder Anthony Santander, who leads the team with 44 home runs and 102 RBIs. With one of the youngest rosters in the league, the Orioles also bring valuable experience from last year’s ALDS. They finished second in the MLB for home runs, fourth for runs scored per game, and third in slugging percentage, concluding the season with a home record of 44-37 and winning two of three matchups against the Royals at Camden Yards.
In a strategic move, the Orioles acquired Corbin Burnes in the offseason, aiming to solidify their pitching rotation for critical playoff games. Burnes’ experience will be pivotal after the Orioles recognized their need for a true ace during last year’s postseason. He concluded the regular season with a 15-9 record and 22 quality starts in 32 outings, boasting a 2.92 ERA and a WHIP of 1.10. At home, Burnes recorded an 8-5 record with an ERA of 2.94. This season, he faced the Royals twice, achieving a 1-0 record with a 3.97 ERA, allowing 13 hits over 11.1 innings while striking out seven batters.
*As of this writing, the Royals have not officially announced their complete wildcard roster.
Analyzing the Matchup: Royals vs. Orioles
This wildcard series presents an intriguing matchup between two teams with contrasting performances in the second half of the season. The Royals posted a respectable 28-22 record after the All-Star break; however, they faltered in the final weeks, losing three of their last five games. Conversely, the Orioles struggled with a 30-33 record in the second half but regained momentum with four victories in their last five games, suggesting they have rediscovered their offensive rhythm. Both Burnes and Ragans are capable of delivering strong performances, having combined for 43 quality starts this season. Burnes has fared better against the Royals, with an ERA of 3.97 in two starts compared to Ragans’ 7.88 ERA against the Orioles. The teams’ bullpens will also play a critical role, as neither has been particularly effective throughout the season. The Orioles’ bullpen ranked 24th in ERA, while the Royals were slightly better at 20th. The game may hinge on the performance of the bullpens, with the Orioles hoping to rely on Seranthony Dominguez’s strong swing-and-miss capability. Given the matchups, many analysts expect the Orioles to capitalize on their bullpen depth and secure a win behind Burnes in the opener.
