The Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles face off in a best-of-three AL Wild Card Series starting Tuesday at Camden Yards.
The Royals, seeded No. 5, are making their first postseason appearance since winning the 2015 World Series. The No. 4-seed Orioles seek to end an eight-game playoff losing streak, including a 2014 ALCS sweep by Kansas City.
Game 1: Tuesday, 4:08 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Royals’ Cole Ragans (LHP, 3.14 ERA) vs. Orioles’ Corbin Burnes (RHP, 2.92 ERA)
Key Factors:
- Royals’ Vinnie Pasquantino’s status (broken thumb) remains uncertain.
- Orioles’ Ryan Mountcastle is on a tear since returning from injury.
- Royals’ pitching has excelled, with a 3.55 rotation ERA.
Injury Report:
- Royals: Pasquantino, Will Smith (back spasms), Chris Stratton (forearm flexor sprain)
- Orioles: Burch Smith (adductor groin strain)
Season Series:
- Orioles won 4 of 7 regular-season games.
What’s Next:
- Winner faces AL East champion Yankees in AL Division Series.
Historical Context:
- 2014 ALCS rematch.
- Only player remaining from 2014 ALCS is Royals’ Salvador Perez.
- Features 2019 MLB Draft top picks Adley Rutschman (No. 1) and Bobby Witt Jr. (No. 2).