The O’s kick off the 2024 postseason with this lineup as they look to take the opener from the Royals
Game time: 4:08pm ET
Where to watch: ESPN2, espn.com
Where to listen: 98 Rock FM (97.9) WBAL News Radio AM (1090), ESPN Radio
Orioles lineup
- Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
- Jordan Westburg (R) 2B
- Anthony Santander (S) RF
- Ryan Mountcastle (R) 1B
- Adley Rutschman (S) DH
- Colton Cowser (L) LF
- Ramón Urías (R) 3B
- Cedric Mullins (L) CF
- James McCann (R) C
Starting pitcher: RHP Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92 ERA, 181 Ks)
No real surprises in the batting order Brandon Hyde rolls out to take on Royals ace Cole Ragans. James McCann continues to get the catching duties when Corbin Burnes is on the mound, but the backup may have something to say offensively. Baltimore’s backup backstop had a 1.087 OPS in September and has three home runs in his last 14 ABs.
McCann getting the start behind the plate could also be an offensive boost for Adley Rutschman. The two-time All-Star was a .298 hitter with a .854 OPS when DH’ing this season. Combine that with Rutschman’s .329/.390/.512 OPS against left-handers and Adley could be in store for an impressive 2024 postseason debut.
Even with the lefty Ragans as their opposition, both Colton Cowser and Cedric Mullins start in the outfield. The Royals ace is a reverse splits guy, with lefties hitting .276 against Ragans, though 13 of his 15 home runs allowed game via right-handed batters. Expect Ryan O’Hearn and Emmanuel Rivera to be the main pinch-hitting options off the bench.
Royals lineup
- Michael Massey (L) 2B
- Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
- Vinnie Pasquantino (L) DH
- Salvador Perez (R) C
- Yuli Gurriel (R) 1B
- MJ Melendez (L) LF
- Tommy Pham (R) RF
- Kyle Isbel (L) CF
- Maikel Garcia (R) 3B
Starting pitcher: LHP Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14 ERA, 223 Ks)
The biggest takeaway from the Royals’ lineup is the return of slugger Vinnie Pasquantino. The man known as Pasquatch around Kansas City will play for the first time since August 29th after missing the last month with a broken thumb. Starting at DH today for KC, Pasquantino is a lifetime .154 hitter at Camden Yards.