Royals vs. Orioles: AL Wild Card Game 1 predictions, odds and picks — Oct 1, MLB 2024
The Baltimore Orioles host the Kansas City Royals at Camden Yards on Tuesday for Game 1 of the best-of-three American League Wild Card Series. These two teams were slightly inconsistent this season, but knowing both franchises produced 100-loss seasons not long ago, it is definitely going to be an exciting matchup.
Royals vs. Orioles ALWS Game 1 recent form and records
The Royals head into the ALWS having won just four games since Sept. 15, which includes a three-game series sweep over the lower-ranked Washington Nationals. They had also lost two of the three games they played at Camden Yards in the regular season.
Meanwhile, the Orioles lost their way at the start of September when faced defeat in 11 of their 16 games, but ended the regular season on a high, winning a series against the New York Yankees before sweeping the Minnesota Twins. They will look to enter their second straight ALDS.
Players to Watch
Starting Pitchers
Cole Ragans vs. Corbin Burnes
Cole Ragans gets the nod as the ace for the Royals after sporting an ERA of just 1.08 in the month of September.
Last Start: vs. Nationals, 6.0 innings pitched, 3 hits, 0 earned runs, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts.
Career vs. Orioles: 0-2, 6.75 ERA, 14 strikeouts in 4 appearances.
On the other hand, Corbin Burnes had the seventh-best W-L record and ERA for the regular season. He himself has earned just 4 runs in 5 starts last month.
Last Start: vs. Yankees, 5.0 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts.
Career vs. Royals: 3-0, 2.15 ERA, 32 strikeouts in 5 appearances.
Must-Watch Hitters
Royals
Bobby Witt Jr. has led the Royals lineup all season long and is still in contention for the American League MVP award. The shortstop amassed 32 home runs and 31 steals in a defining season with a 9.4 WAR (Wins Above Replacement).
Orioles
All of the Orioles' lineup starts with a clean slate, but if the regular season is of any indication, they will continue to rely on youngsters like Gunnar Henderson, who hit 37 home runs on his way to a season WAR of 9.0.
Royals vs. Orioles ALWS Game 1 odds
Royals vs. Orioles ALWS Game 1 expert picks and prediction
If pitching matchups are assessed, the Orioles' Burnes does have the edge over the Royals' Ragans. The Os also had a solid 44-37 record at the Yards. However, the Royals earned the least number of home runs in the league and are evenly matched in season batting average (Royals - .248, Orioles - .250).
Runline: Under 1.5
Total Runs: Under 7
Prediction: Orioles 4, Royals 2