Kansas City (1-0) at Baltimore (0-1)
- When: Oct 2 2024, 4:38 PM
- Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
- Where to watch: ESPN
Game Odds, Spread, Moneyline & Total
Kansas City Royals @ Baltimore Orioles
Moneyline
Kansas City Royals +142
Baltimore Orioles -172
Kansas City Royals @ Baltimore Orioles
Runline
Kansas City Royals 1.5 (-150)
Baltimore Orioles -1.5 (+130)
Kansas City Royals @ Baltimore Orioles
Total
Over 7.5 (-110)
Under 7.5 (-110)
- Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
Probable Pitchers:
Kansas City: Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00)
Baltimore: Zach Eflin (10-9, 3.59)
Postseason Team Stats
| Royals | Orioles | |
| .172 | Avg. | .156 |
| 0 | HR | 0 |
| 1 | Run | 0 |
| 0.00 | ERA | 1.00 |
Game Preview
Zach Eflin kicked off his season with the Tampa Bay Rays in front of small crowds in St. Petersburg, Florida. Now, he’s set to face a much more intense atmosphere as he seeks to help the Baltimore Orioles, who acquired him in July, continue their postseason push.
Eflin will take the mound on Wednesday at a lively Camden Yards, where the Orioles will try to avoid elimination against the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the American League wild-card series.
“It’s a really special place here in October,” Eflin remarked about the Orioles’ home park. “We’re excited to keep that going.”
If the Orioles win, a deciding Game 3 will be held in Baltimore on Thursday. However, they need to break their recent playoff slump first.
Baltimore has lost its last nine postseason games, including a narrow 1-0 defeat in Game 1 on Tuesday. A loss on Wednesday would result in another quick exit for the Orioles, who were swept in the division series last year after securing the AL’s top seed.
“Everyone knows the position we’re in,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde noted. “It’s not about rallying the team in a meeting.”
Eflin, a postseason veteran with 11 playoff appearances (one start) in the last two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Rays, will be on the mound. He has an 0-1 record with a 5.17 ERA over 15 2/3 postseason innings but remains unfazed by the pressure of October.
“You have to treat it like any other game,” Eflin stated. “You know the stakes, but you’ve got to play free and easy.”
Eflin (10-9, 3.59 ERA during the regular season) will face a Royals team that is one win away from facing the top-seeded New York Yankees in the AL Division Series. The Royals are poised to host their first playoff game since their 2015 World Series run if they can eliminate Baltimore.
“It gives me chills just thinking about it,” said Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. “I can’t imagine what the atmosphere will be like in Kansas City.”
Witt, who was just 15 during the Royals’ last home playoff game, contributed significantly in his playoff debut on Tuesday, delivering the only run of the game with a clutch single.
Both Eflin and Witt are untroubled by the pressure of critical postseason moments. “It’s just the same game you’ve always played,” Witt explained. “The distances are the same.”
Witt will be backing right-hander Seth Lugo, who has a wealth of postseason experience with two scoreless innings for the New York Mets in the 2022 National League wild-card series. Lugo has enjoyed a successful first year with the Royals, boasting a 16-9 record and a 3.00 ERA, alongside his first career All-Star selection.
Eflin has a favorable history against Kansas City, holding a 3-1 record with a 5.09 ERA in four career starts.
MLB Parlay Picks & Predictions
Final Score: Baltimore 5-3
The Pick: Baltimore -172 & Over 7½ (-110)
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $302
- MLB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
