Royals vs. Orioles Predictions, odds, probable pitchers for AL Wild Card Game 2

The Kansas City Royals won the pitchers’ duel on Tuesday, getting six innings off Cole Ragans to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 1-0 in the AL Wild Card.

Now the Royals – who have played in the World Series in each of their last three playoff appearances (1985, 2014 and 2015) – are one win away from advancing to the ALDS.

Oddsmakers favor the O’s – the top wild-card team in the AL – in this matchup, but they will have to find a way to offensively against Seth Lugo and the Royals pitching staff.

Zach Eflin will start for Baltimore and has performed exceptionally since he was added at the trade deadline.

Here’s a breakdown of the odds, key players to watch, and my predictions for a key Game 2 in Baltimore.

DraftKings Sportsbook Odds.

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The Kansas City Royals

Bobby Witt Jr.: The star shortstop made a splash in his first postseason game, hitting Corbin Burnes in the only run of Tuesday’s game in the sixth inning. The Royals scored just five hits in the first game, but Witt’s single was enough to win the game. Will Witt be able to maintain his good form in the second game?

Baltimore Orioles

Zach Eflin: Due to the trade deadline, Eflin made nine starts in an Orioles uniform, allowing three or fewer runs in each of those outings. The Orioles are 7-2 when Eflin takes over and his ERA is 2.60 since joining the franchise. However, as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, Elfin recorded seven hits, six runs (five scored) and one run scored against the Royals earlier in the season.

Anything can happen in the playoffs, and the Royals have shown that they don’t have to hit the ball from cover to win games – even though they finished 13th in runs scored and 14th in OPS during the regular season.

However, re-runs will be difficult to come by when Eflin is on the mound – especially considering the way he pitches in an Orioles uniform.

As I mentioned above, Eflin didn’t allow more than three runs in the opener with the O’s, posting an ERA of 2.60 and leading to a 7-2 record.

Meanwhile, Seth Lugo led the Royals to a 17-16 record despite his low ERA of 3.00. Even more concerning is that the Royals started the season with a 9-3 record in Lugo starts in the first two months.

Since then? They are just 8-13 in 21 starts, and Lugo has a 3.79 ERA.

It’s not bad, but Kansas City may need more than one backup if it wants to win Game 2.

Baltimore’s offense (No. 4 in OPS this season) is too good to fall silent again. I expect the O’s to force a decisive Game 3.

Pick: Orioles Moneyline (-162)

Rates are refreshed periodically and are subject to change.

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