Royals-Orioles AL Wild Card Series Game 2 (4:30 ET, ESPN)

BALTIMORE — After a tight, exciting American League Wild Card Series Game 1 on Tuesday — in which just one run was scored — the Royals advanced to the AL Division Series in their first postseason appearance since the 2015 World Series championship. run They will have a chance to sweep the Orioles in Game 2 at Camden Yards on Wednesday.

Kansas City returned to action in October for the first time in nine years and defeated Baltimore 1-0 in the opener of the best-of-three AL Wild Card series. Bobby Witt Jr. (RBI single in the sixth inning) and Cole Ragans (six dominant frames) starred in the contest.

“You definitely want Game 1, don't you?” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And we did enough on the offensive side. The pitching was outstanding. The atmosphere was great. I mean, you can just tell when they scream, 'O,' out loud. But it helps when you're not letting them get on board to control things.”

By winning Wednesday's Game 2, the Royals will face the top-seeded Yankees in the ALDS.

“It gives me chills just thinking about it. Hearing the crowd here, I can't imagine that in 'The K,'” Witt said. “We wanted to bring October baseball back to Kansas City. We're going to try to keep that going.”

The Orioles, on the other hand, have yet to win a postseason game since Game 3 of the 2014 ALDS, as their playoff losing streak was extended to nine. They must win on Wednesday to force a Game 3 on Thursday, otherwise they will be out of October for the second year in a row.

In the brief history of best-of-three wild card series, teams that won Game 1 have advanced 14 of 16 times. Of the 10 teams to take Game 1 on the road, eight have won the series, including seven by sweep.

“It's all hands on deck,” O's first baseman/designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn said. “Anything we can do to win a baseball game tomorrow and live another day.”

When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch is set for 4:38 pm ET/3:38 pm CT on Wednesday and will be televised in the US on ESPN. Sean McDonough, Jessica Mendoza and Ben McDonald will be in the booth.

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Who are the starting pitchers?
Royal: RHP Seth Lugo
Lugo takes the mound with a chance to send the Royals to the next round, and much like they did with the Ragans on Tuesday, they feel great about their chances with Lugo. The 34-year-old finished the regular season with a 3.00 ERA across 33 starts and ranked second in baseball with 206 2/3 innings pitched. Lugo throws the kitchen sink at hitters with his nine-plus pitches, and he relies on poor contact to get deep into games. He's a veteran, but he made just one postseason appearance when he threw two scoreless innings for the Mets in the 2022 National League Wild Card Series.

Aureole: RHP Jack Eflin
The O's will turn to Eflin to help extend their season. The 30-year-old right-hander was acquired from Tampa Bay on July 26 and has been excellent since arriving in Baltimore, recording a 2.60 ERA in nine outings. Eflin didn't allow more than three runs in those games, seven of which were quality starts. He has previous season experience, posting a 5.17 ERA in 11 games (one start) over the previous two years for the Phillies and Rays.

“We have an opportunity to right the ship,” Eflin said. “We'll be ready and ready to go.”

What is the starting lineup?
Royal: Facing another right-hander, it looks like the Royals will field the same lineup they did against Corbin Barnes on Tuesday and hope for better success than just one run. They could also swap left-handed-hitting Adam Frazier, who plays in the infield and outfield, somewhere for a different matchup.

Aureole: The left-handed-hitting O'Hearn will make his first start of the series after not being in the lineup in Game 1 vs. the southpaw Ragans. Adley Rutsman will take the catch, James McCann will return to the bench.

How will bullpens line up after the starters?
Royal: The Royals used their high-leverage relievers Sam Long, Chris Bubic and Lukas Ercege, who earned his first career save of the season Tuesday, but they will likely be available again in Game 2. The Royals also have lefty Angel Zerpa and righty John. Schreiber is fresh off the back end of the game.

Aureole: Barnes pitched eight-plus innings in Game 1 to keep Baltimore's bullpen fresh. Left-hander Keegan Akin (two-thirds of an inning) and righty Ceranthony Dominguez (one-third) both pitched, but will be available again if needed. Game 2. The rest of the Orioles' relief corps hasn't pitched since Sunday or so.

Hit any notes?
Royal: Ragans left Game 1 early with left calf cramps, but neither he nor the Royals are concerned about his availability if they make an ALDS appearance. There were no other new injuries for Kansas City in Game 1, though it remains to be seen how Pasquantino feels in his first game back from a broken right thumb.

Aureole: There were no new injuries for the O's in Game 1. The only candidate to potentially return from the injured list this October is right-handed reliever Birch Smith (right adductor groin strain).

Who is hot and who is not?
Royal: Game 1 was a perfect example of the Royals' season, and last month in particular: their offense is still struggling, but their pitching is excellent. One run was enough on Tuesday. But Kansas City needs to see its hitters heat up, especially if it wants to make deep runs. Witt came up big with his RBI single on Tuesday, but the Royals didn't have much of a chance elsewhere.

Aureole: Many of Baltimore's hitters went cold as the club was shut out in Game 1. The lone exception was Mullins, who went 2-for-3 with a double after going 0-for-12 in his first three career postseason games last October. . Urias, also hurt since returning from a sprained right ankle on Sept. 22, has improved to 8-for-29 (.276).

Rutschman is stuck in recession. He went 0 for 4 in Game 1 after hitting .214 in 23 games in September.

Anything else fans might want to know?
Former Orioles outfielder Steve Pierce is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. He played in Baltimore from 2012-16 and is best remembered for being one of three players to score on Delmon Young's go-ahead double in Game 3 of the '14 ALDS vs. Detroit. The O's won that game, 7-6, and swept the series 3-0.