MLB Playoffs: Royals’ Lugo Gets Chance to Shine vs Orioles (Oct 2)

The Royals face off with the Orioles in Game 2 after winning the first game of their Wild Card series at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Our prediction is the Orioles money line.

Seth Lugo Has Waited Eight Years For This

Royals starter Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.00 ERA) was a 34th-round draft pick of the Mets in 2011, had numerous injuries in the minor leagues, did not get a chance in the majors until he was 26, and was told repeatedly that he did not have the durability to be a starting pitcher.

Now, a few months from turning 35, he is an All-Star and a top starter for the surprising Royals as they hope to advance to the American League Division Series by defeating the favored Orioles.

The righty has handled the Orioles stars well with Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander a combined 2 for 10 against him, but background players have knocked him around:

• Ryan Mountcastle is 2 for 4 with a double
• Austin Slater is 3 for 6 with a double
• Jordan Westburg is 2 for 2 with a triple and a home run

Orioles Counter With Zach Eflin

Zach Eflin is in a similar boat as Lugo in that he was long unappreciated before he signed a surprisingly lucrative contract with the Rays before the 2023 season. He responded by winning 16 and losing 9, finishing sixth in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award.

His success in Tampa Bay was impressive, but he was traded to the Orioles during the 2024 season. Eflin went 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA walking 11 and striking out 47 in 55.1 innings with Baltimore.

Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is 3 for 6 against Eflin with a double and a triple; Salvador Perez is 2 for 7 with a home run; and Paul DeJong is 5 for 13 with a home run.

Prediction: Desperate O’s Will Take Game 2

Since they rose from their rebuild purgatory and made their climb from 110 losses in 2021 to a playoff spot in 2024 with 91 wins, the Orioles have been waiting for postseason success. Going back to 2023’s ALDS sweep by the Rangers and Game 1 of 2024’s Wild Card series loss to the Royals, they have yet to win a game.

Although Lugo is tough, Eflin has been about as good in an understated way. The Orioles will win the game outright. Take the money line.

Tags:
• MLB Playoffs