Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Kansas City Royals to a 1-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, with Cole Ragans delivering a stellar pitching performance.
Bobby Witt Jr. and Cole Ragans Lead Royals to 1-0 Win Over Orioles in AL Wild Card Game 1
The Kansas City Royals made a triumphant return to postseason baseball, edging the Baltimore Orioles 1-0 in a tightly contested Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals’ rising star, and pitcher Cole Ragans were the heroes, helping Kansas City move one step closer to advancing.
Witt, who finished the regular season with an MLB-best 211 hits, proved his worth in the playoff spotlight. His clutch single in the sixth inning brought Maikel Garcia home for the only run of the game. Garcia set the stage by drawing a walk, stealing second, and advancing to third on a groundout before Witt delivered a hit off Corbin Burnes, Baltimore’s ace.
Witt’s playoff debut was the culmination of a fantastic season, and his composure under pressure did not go unnoticed. Even Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes took to social media to cheer on the Royals, tweeting: “Let’s go!! Keep it going!!! @Royals.”
Cole Ragans Shines on the Mound
On the other side of the ball, Cole Ragans was a force to be reckoned with. The left-hander, acquired from the Texas Rangers last season, delivered six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out eight Orioles hitters. Ragans mixed his 98 mph fastball with a variety of off-speed pitches, keeping the Orioles off balance all night.
Despite dealing with calf cramps, Ragans pitched masterfully before handing the game over to the bullpen. The Royals’ relievers—Sam Long, Kris Bubic, and Lucas Erceg—kept the Orioles in check, with Erceg earning the save.
This was a particularly impressive performance from Kansas City’s bullpen, which had been a weakness throughout the regular season. On Tuesday, however, they shut down Baltimore’s powerful lineup and preserved the narrow lead.
Orioles Struggle to Capitalize
Baltimore’s powerful offense, which ranked second in the league with 232 home runs, couldn’t deliver when it mattered most. The Orioles had several chances to break through but came up short. They got a runner to third base in the third inning, but Jordan Westburg’s deep fly ball was caught at the warning track. In the fifth inning, with runners on the corners, Ragans struck out James McCann and Gunnar Henderson to escape the jam.
Later in the eighth inning, the Orioles once again had an opportunity with two men on base, but Bubic and Erceg combined to force Anthony Santander into a groundout, ending the threat.
Burnes Pitches Well but Comes Up Short
Corbin Burnes, Baltimore’s big acquisition from the Milwaukee Brewers, lived up to his billing as one of baseball’s top pitchers. The 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner pitched into the ninth inning, giving up just one run on five hits. Despite his strong performance, he couldn’t outduel Ragans and the Royals’ bullpen.
Burnes became the first starter to pitch into the ninth inning in a postseason game since Stephen Strasburg did so in Game 6 of the 2019 World Series. However, the lack of run support from Baltimore’s sluggers meant Burnes’ effort went unrewarded.
What’s Next: Royals Eye Series Win in Game 2
With the Royals now leading the best-of-three series 1-0, they will have the chance to close it out on Wednesday in Baltimore. Kansas City will send All-Star Seth Lugo to the mound for Game 2, looking to finish off the Orioles and advance to the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees.
Meanwhile, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has yet to confirm his starter for Game 2, but it is expected to be Zach Eflin, who posted a 3.59 ERA in 2024.
Baltimore, on the other hand, will need to snap a nine-game postseason losing streak if they want to force a Game 3. The Orioles’ last postseason win came in 2014, and they’ll need their offense to step up to avoid another early playoff exit.
Trainer’s Room
The Royals received a boost before Game 1 when first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was activated from the injured list. Pasquantino, who had been sidelined since August with a broken thumb, served as the team’s designated hitter but went 0-for-3 at the plate. He will continue to be available as a DH but won’t be able to play in the field for another couple of weeks.
Up Next
Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series will be played in Baltimore on Wednesday, with Kansas City’s Seth Lugo set to make his first postseason start. Orioles fans will be hoping for a bounce-back performance from their team, as they fight to keep their playoff hopes alive.
