Takeaways from Orioles-Royals Game 2: K.C.’s bullpen shines in series-clinching win

As MLB.com’s Sarah Langs pointed out, Witt is the second player in Royals history to have a go-ahead hit in the sixth inning or later twice in the same postseason, joining Amos Otis (1980).

As long as Witt continues to step up in the biggest moments, Kansas City has the potential to pull off another upset in a David vs. Goliath ALDS matchup against the Yankees. 

Orioles need to switch things up

There was plenty of optimism surrounding the Orioles and their talented young core this season, even though the Texas Rangers swept them in the 2023 ALDS. However, following an even more disappointing postseason, it’s clear that change is needed for Baltimore.

Shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman — the centerpieces of the “Baby Birds” — didn’t show up against Kansas City, finishing a combined 1-of-15 at the plate with six strikeouts. While the two aren’t going anywhere this offseason, their struggles highlight Baltimore’s flawed hitting approach.

In the series loss to the Royals, Baltimore struck out 22 times, left 16 runners on base, and scored just one run, which, as mentioned, was via the long ball. During the regular season, Baltimore built its identity by hitting home runs. The team’s 235 homers were the second-most in the majors, trailing only the Yankees. 

Even so, the home run-or-bust approach isn’t a reliable one, especially in the postseason, where pitching and situational hitting rule above all else. If the Orioles don’t plan on cutting ties with manager Brandon Hyde, they desperately need to replace co-hitting coaches Matt Borgschulte and Ryan Fuller and sign a few contact hitters. If they don’t, they’re only going to continue wasting seasons with an affordable core of position players. 

Kansas City’s bullpen might not be a weak link after all

The Royals bullpen was considered the team’s potential fatal flaw entering the postseason. The unit posted a 4.13 ERA during the regular season, which ranked 20th in the majors., and blew 23 save opportunities, the 13th-most among teams.

Kansas City made strides to upgrade the bullpen at the trade deadline, acquiring Hunter Harvey, Michael Lorenzen and Lucas Erceg. While the Harvey and Lorenzen acquisitions didn’t pan out the way the Royals envisioned, Erceg and the rest of the bullpen were a major reason why the team is advancing to the ALDS.

In Game 1, the Royals bullpen turned in three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and issuing two walks to clinch a 1-0 victory. Kansas City’s relievers were even more impressive on Wednesday after Lugo was knocked out in the fifth inning. Five pitchers combined to shutout Baltimore over the game’s final 4.2 innings, striking out six batters while only allowing two Orioles hitters to reach base safely.

Despite lacking talent, the Royals bullpen appears to be hitting its stride at the perfect time, which can make all the difference in October. Just ask the 2023 World Series champion Rangers, who had a bullpen ranked 24th in ERA (4.77) before the unit turned the corner in the postseason.