Royals vs. Orioles Predictions, Picks & Odds: AL Wild Card Game 2, 10/2
Game 1 of the American League Wild Card series between the Royals and Orioles saw Kansas City take a 1-0 lead, winning Game 1 behind a sixth-inning RBI single by Bobby Witt and that was all the scoring in the game as Cole Ragans and the Royals bullpen shut out the Orioles offense.
In our Game 1 matchup break down we discussed the Orioles slumping offense against left-handed pitching and they had nothing going against Ragans who tossed six shutout innings with eight strikeouts and only left the game after 80 pitches due to cramping.
The O’s wasted an elite outing from Corbin Burnes who tossed eight innings of one run baseball.
For our Royals vs. Orioles predictions for Game 2, we will take a look at the top storylines and pitching matchups to see if Kansas City can pull off the sweep or if Baltimore can force a Game 3.
Royals vs. Orioles Predictions For AL Wild Card Game 2
For our Royals vs Orioles predictions for Game 2 we take a look, once again, at the pitching matchups.
The visiting Royals are sending out Seth Lugo who went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA and 181 strikeouts over 206.2 innings.
In his second full season as a starter, Lugo really helped solidify the top of the Royals rotation and while he struggled in the month of August he bounced back nicely in September, posting a 2.28 ERA over his five starts with 26 strikeouts over 27.1 innings.
The Orioles went out and acquired pitching depth at the trade deadline with one of those pitchers being their Game 2 starter Zach Eflin whom they got from the Tampa Bay Rays.
With the Rays this season Eflin was 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA but since joining the Orioles he is 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA in his nine starts.
The game total for this game is once again set at 7.5 runs and I’m pretty skeptical about that total.
Yes, both of these offenses can put up runs, and this is the better split side for the Orioles with a right-handed pitcher on the mound but these two pitchers are rolling into the playoffs in strong form and both teams have formidable bullpens.
Before finalizing our Royals vs Orioles prediction let’s look at the top storylines for each team going into Game 2.
Baltimore Orioles: Can The Orioles Offense Get Going?
Yeah, this was yesterday’s storyline too and guess what? They got shut out. This offense is loaded with talent but struggled during the month of September against left-handed pitching.
Their numbers against right-handed pitching over the last month are certainly better but nothing elite.
With their backs against the wall they need their top tier hitters in Gunnar Henderson, Anthony Santander and Adley Rutschman to come through for them today against Seth Lugo and take the pressure off of their pitching and bullpen.
Kansas City Royals: Can Royals Pull off the Sweep?
Cole Ragans and the Royals bullpen took the pressure off for Game 2 as a loss won’t end their season.
That said, can Seth Lugo give the team the same lift? Offensively the Royals are a bit limited. Yes, Bobby Witt is the American League batting champion and could have very well won the MVP if not for the season Aaron Judge put together but after Witt Jr. they are counting on Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino in the middle of the lineup.
The Royals are not a team we are expecting to put up 5 or 6 runs in a game but they can win those low scoring contests if their pitching can keep it together.
Royals vs. Orioles Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
Take a look at the current Royals vs. Orioles odds, spreads totals and betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook:
Run Line
- Royals +1.5 (-170)
- Orioles -1.5 (+142)
Moneyline
- Royals: +130
- Orioles: -155
Total
- 7.5 (Over -102/Under -118)
Royals vs. Orioles Starting Pitcher & Lineup
Seth Lugo who went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA and 181 strikeouts over 206.2 innings. In his second full season as a starter, Lugo really helped solidify the top of the Royals rotation and while he struggled in the month of August he bounced back nicely in September, posting a 2.28 ERA over his five starts with 26 strikeouts over 27.1 innings.
The Orioles needed starting pitching help and at the trade deadline they went out and acquired Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays. With the Rays this season Eflin was 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA but since joining the Orioles he is 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA in his nine starts.
Royals vs. Orioles Game Total: Under 7.5 (-118 on DraftKings)
For our Royals vs Orioles prediction for Game 2 we are going back to the under on the total runs. Yesterday this line was set at 7.0 and we saw one total run scored. Today that line is up to 7.5 and I’m just not buying that many runs being scored here today.
Both teams are throwing out quality starters who are both in great form right now. With this being playoff baseball we also will see teams willing to go to their best bullpen arms earlier, especially in closer games.
The 7.5 runs just seems too high for today’s contest.
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