Royals 1, Orioles 0
The Kansas City Royals knocked off the Baltimore Orioles, 1–0, in a pitchers duel Tuesday afternoon at Camden Yards. The Royals needed to close the door in the ninth. They will need to win Game Two or Game Three if necessary, while the Orioles will need to win the next two straight to stay alive. If the AL Central Wild Card attendees can knock off the Orioles, it’ll be their first postseason win since their 2015 World Series win. The Orioles have lost nine straight playoff games, dating back to 2014 against the Royals.
Royals – Orioles Game Summary
The two AL aces took the mound. The Royals let their southpaw Cole Ragans take the start while the Orioles had Corbin Burnes on the bump. The first chance of the game came for the home side. Cedric Mullins hit a double to put the Birds in business in the bottom of the third. Ragans got out of it with a strikeout, groundout and flyout. In the fifth, Luis Urias doubled, and Mullins singled, giving the Orioles runners on the corners, one out. Ragans struck out the next two batters, escaping the jam. Half an inning later, Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI single with two outs that scored Colton Cowser, which made the difference. The Orioles couldn’t string it together past the Royals bullpen in the last three innings. A low-scoring affair that sends the Royals one win away from an ALDS appearance.
Bobby Witt Jr. gives the @Royals the lead! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/qP7kUAxd0U
— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2024
What Went Right for the Orioles
Starting Pitching
Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes tossed eight innings of one-run ball. He allowed five hits, one earned and struck out three, and one walk. He pitched a great game with a tiny gaff, and the Orioles would take eight innings of one earned nine out of ten times. Unfortunately, this was the one they couldn’t win.
Cedric Mullins
Center fielder Cedric Mullins is far from the Orioles’ best hitter on the roster, as his defensive ability gives him the nod most of the time. However, Mullins was the bright spot for the Birds today. He posted two hits, one double, and his other hit was the Orioles’ only hit with a runner in scoring position.
What Went Wrong for the Orioles
Top Hitters
The Orioles’ best hitters this season went blank in Game One. Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle and Anthony Santander went 0-for-14, blanking throughout the game and crucial moments with runners in scoring position. They will need to stop in Game Two, a win-or-go-home situation.
Runners In Scoring Position
The Orioles went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, with their only hit being a single that did not drive in a run. Without any home runs this game, knocking in runners in scoring position is a must have. Unfortunately, it wasn’t their night.
Cole Ragans is AMPED UP after getting out of that jam! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/3AXc6swFYe
— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2024
What Went Right for the Royals
Complete Team Pitching
What else needs to be said about pitching if you throw a shutout on the road? Cole Ragans posted six innings, getting the job done with four hits allowed and eight strikeouts. Collecting the save was Lucas Erceg, an acquisition made by the Royals in the trade deadline. Ragans also got out of some tough situations, giving the momentum swing to the Royals.
Road One Victory
The Royals struggled, going 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position, with a Bobby Witt Jr.single in the sixth inning. Although they only collected five hits, they did what they needed to get the job done.
Witt spoke on the home evironment, mentioning how tough it is but how important a game one victory is, “When you go out there and hearing the fans yelling at you, and then when you’re able to get the job done and win a game, it’s pretty special. It feels good. It’s great to kind of get that first win out of the way.”
What Went Wrong for the Royals
Hitting
The Royals would love to improve on their team hitting as well. Only five hits as a team, and couldn’t plate many runners in scoring position. They would like to improve the team hitting as well, as they need one more win to go back to the ALDS for the first time in nine years.
Quick Hits
The Royals earned their first ever playoff road game shutout. The Royals also marked their first postseason appearance in nine years with a victory.
The Orioles have lost nine straight playoff games, dating back to 2014 against the Royals. They look to avoid double digits with their backs against the wall on Wednesday.
The Royals toppling the Orioles, winning Game One is a crucial win for any team. In the new wild card series, teams that have won Game One are 14/16 (88%) to win the series.
Looking Ahead
Cole Ragans (1–0) earned the win, with Corbin Burnes (0-1) taking the loss, both starters.
The Orioles will have their backs against the wall, with the home crowd bouncing to help the Birds stay alive. They will start Zach Eflin (10-9, 3.59 ERA) but in nine starts with the O’s, he posts a 2.60 ERA. The Royals will let veteran Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00 ERA) step onto the mound to close out the series.
Eflin looks forward to the pressure, mentioning the Game One loss as an opportunity, “You look at it as an opportunity, you know. We have an opportunity to right the ship tomorrow and we are going to show up prepared and be ready to go.”
Lugo kept it short and sweet for his emotions going into Game Two, “It’s really exciting. Should be a lot of fun. Something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.”
Game Two has the emotions brewing in the air, and it will be go time for both teams in a highly contested and emotional playoff bout.
