Royals' Lugo Aims to Close Out Series Against Orioles’ Eflin in Crucial Game Two
Royals’ Lugo Aims to Close Out Series Against Orioles’ Eflin in Crucial Game Two
As the Kansas City Royals prepare for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card series against the Baltimore Orioles, the stakes are high for both teams. The first pitch is set for 4:30 PM EST on Wednesday afternoon, and the Orioles find themselves on the brink of elimination after a narrow 1-0 loss in Game 1. With the pressure mounting, can the Royals capitalize on their momentum, or will the Orioles fight back to keep their postseason dreams alive?
Royals One Win Away from Advancing
Despite a challenging 2023 season that saw them lose over 100 games, the Kansas City Royals now stand just one victory away from a spot in the AL Division Series. Their Game 1 triumph was fueled by a strong pitching performance from Cole Ragans, who threw six scoreless innings before exiting with calf soreness. The game’s only run came from shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., whose sixth-inning single scored Maikel Garcia after a sequence of strategic plays.
Ragans’ impressive outing included eight strikeouts and only four hits, as he threw less than 90 pitches. The Royals’ bullpen then stepped up, delivering three scoreless innings, capped by Lucas Erceg, who recorded 1.1 innings of solid relief to secure the save.
For Game 2, Kansas City will turn to their standout free-agent acquisition, Seth Lugo. The right-handed pitcher has exceeded expectations since joining from San Diego, earning an All-Star selection with a 16-9 record and 22 quality starts in 33 games. Lugo has particularly excelled on the road, sporting a 2.62 ERA and a 9-3 record in away games. However, he has struggled against the Orioles in his lone start, giving up nine hits and two home runs over 5.1 innings.
Orioles Seek Redemption with Eflin
The Baltimore Orioles are facing significant postseason challenges, having now lost nine consecutive playoff games, dating back to 2016. Their offensive struggles were on display in Game 1, where they managed only five hits and left seven runners stranded. Notably, stars Gunnar Henderson, Anthony Santander, and Adley Rutschman combined for an uncharacteristic 0-for-11 performance with four strikeouts.
To stave off elimination, the Orioles will call upon right-hander Zach Eflin. Acquired at the trade deadline, Eflin holds a 10-9 record this season, including a 5-2 mark since joining Baltimore. His 13 quality starts reflect his capability, and with the bullpen well-rested after Corbin Burnes’ eight innings of work in Game 1, Eflin has the support he needs.
Eflin has been effective at home, with a 2.66 ERA in 11 starts. However, he has faced difficulties against the Royals this season, allowing seven hits and six runs in his only start against them. With the pressure mounting, he will need to deliver a strong performance to keep Baltimore’s postseason hopes alive.
Conclusion
As the Royals look to capitalize on their early series lead, the Orioles must summon their resilience to avoid another early exit. With Seth Lugo aiming to close out the series and Zach Eflin tasked with keeping the season alive, fans can expect a thrilling encounter. Will the Royals complete their surprising journey to the ALDS, or can the Orioles break their postseason slump? Tune in for an electrifying showdown in this pivotal game!
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