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Royals vs. Orioles Prediction & MLB Playoff Odds Today: AL Wild Card Series Game 2

Mike Spector

Last Updated: October 2, 2024 8:11 AM EDT • 3 min 9 sec read.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. hits an RBI single as we look at our Royals vs. Orioles prediction for Game 2
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. hits an RBI single. Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.

The Baltimore Orioles are on the brink of elimination and look to keep their season alive as home favorites against the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series.

  • Yesterday was Kansas City’s first road postseason shutout victory in franchise history
  • Baltimore is on the brink of being swept out of the playoffs for the second consecutive year
  • The Royals look to win their first postseason series since capturing the 2015 World Series
  • The Game 1 win moved the Royals ahead of the Orioles in the World Series odds

After going 2-0 with our Game 1 picks and cashing the Royals moneyline and Ragans Over 5.5 strikeouts, we are back to continue the momentum with our Royals vs. Orioles prediction for Game 2 of the Wild Card Series.

My Tigers vs. Astros prediction covers today's first game.

Royals vs. Orioles predictions: Game 2

MLB odds via our best MLB betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

Who will win Royals vs. Orioles?

First pitch: 4:38 p.m. ET, Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Orioles to win (-140) ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -140 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 58.33%

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Zach Eflin was one of the most underrated acquisitions at the trade deadline, as Baltimore went 7-2 in his nine starts, which included wins over the AL’s top two teams (the Yankees and Guardians). Eflin has pitched to a 2.37 ERA since the start of August, and the Orioles scored only one run across the two games they lost when the righty toed the rubber.

Kansas City squeaked out a win in Game 1 without producing an extra-base hit and totaling just three at-bats with runners in scoring position. The Royals went 12-18 in their final 30 games and ranked 21st in wRC+ and 29th in walk rate on the road this season. 

Behind a strong outing from Eflin, I expect the Orioles to even this series, with Baltimore getting to Royals starter Seth Lugo. Lugo finished the regular season ranked second in WAR behind only Tarik Skubal, but Kansas City went 3-7 in his final 10 starts, including losing each of the final three.

This line is down some from an opening number of -145, but I am taking advantage of the better odds at BetMGM, where a $10 winning wager would pay out $17.14.

See the rest of our MLB picks.

My best MLB player prop bet: Colton Cowser

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Prediction: Colton Cowser Over 0.5 RBIs ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +180 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 35.71%

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In his only start against the Orioles this season, Lugo allowed nine hits - tied for his third-most in any game - including a home run to Cowser.

Cowser has a .902 OPS over the last 15 days, and a .333/.385/.667 slash line against Kansas City this season. He batted leadoff in 24 games out of necessity because of injuries, but he hit sixth in the lineup yesterday, and that is a much better RBI spot for him.

Cowser drove in 40 of his 69 runs batting sixth or lower in the batting order, and I expect him to drive in at least one run for the fourth time in his last seven games.

Royals vs. Orioles odds & game info

  • When: Wednesday, Oct. 2
  • First pitch: 4:38 p.m. ET 
  • Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Baltimore)
  • How to watch: ESPN
  • Favorite: Orioles (-140 via BetMGM)

MLB betting odds pages

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Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”