In a thrilling postseason opener, the Kansas City Royals secured a 1-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series. The Royals’ young phenom, Bobby Witt Jr., made his playoff debut count, driving in the game’s only run with a sixth-inning single off Corbin Burnes. Witt’s clutch hit scored Maikel Garcia, who had reached base with a walk, stolen second, and advanced to third on a groundout.
The Royals’ pitching staff stole the show, with Cole Ragans delivering six impressive innings before leaving due to cramping in his left calf. The bullpen, a weakness during the regular season, proved reliable, with Sam Long, Kris Bubic, and Lucas Erceg shutting down the Orioles’ offense. Erceg earned the save, securing the win for Kansas City.
The Royals’ 30-win improvement from last season has propelled them back into the postseason for the first time since their 2015 World Series championship. They now have the opportunity to advance to the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees with a win in Game 2 on Wednesday. The Orioles, meanwhile, are seeking to break their nine-game postseason losing streak, which dates back to 2014.
Ragans, a left-handed All-Star, showcased his skills, mixing a 98 mph fastball with off-speed offerings to limit the Orioles to four hits and strike out eight. Burnes, the Orioles’ ace, was equally impressive, but ultimately took the loss. The right-hander exited to a standing ovation after giving up a leadoff single in the ninth, having allowed one run, five hits, and one walk.
The Orioles’ powerful offense, which led the league in home runs, was unable to come through in crucial moments. They stranded runners in scoring position multiple times, including in the third, fifth, and eighth innings.
In Game 2, the Royals will send All-Star Seth Lugo to the mound, while the Orioles are expected to counter with Zach Eflin. Lugo is eager to make his postseason debut, saying, “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.”
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