Orioles vs. Royals, Wild Card Game 1 lineups

Playing time: 4:08 p.m. ET

Where to see: ESPN2, espn.com

Where to listen: 98 Rock FM (97.9) WBAL News Radio AM (1090), ESPN Radio

Orioles lineup

1. Gunnar Henderson (left) SS
2. Jordan Westburg (R) 2B
3. Anthony Santander (S) RF
4. Ryan Mountcastle (R) 1B
5. Adleyrutschman (S) DH
6. Colton Cowser (L) LF
7. Ramon Urías (R) 3B
8. Cedric Mullins (left) CF
9. James McCann (R) C

Starting Pitcher: RHP Corbin Burnes (15-9, 2.92 ERA, 181 Ks)

No real surprises in the batting order, which pits Brandon Hyde against Royals ace Cole Ragans. James McCann continues to handle the catching duties when Corbin Burnes is on the mound, but the backup could have some say offensively. Baltimore's backup backstop had a 1.087 OPS in September and has hit three home runs in his last 14 ABs.

McCann's start behind the plate could also be an offensive boost for Adleyrutschman. The two-time All-Star was a .298 hitter with an .854 OPS at DH this season. Combine that withrutschman's .329/.390/.512 OPS against lefties, and Adley could be in line for an impressive postseason debut in 2024.

Although the lefty Ragans are their opponent, both Colton Cowser and Cedric Mullins start in the outfield. The Royals ace is a reverse-splits guy, with lefties batting .276 against Ragans, although 13 of his 15 homers came in the game against right-handed batters. Expect Ryan O'Hearn and Emmanuel Rivera to be the main options on the bench.

Royals lineup

1. Michael Massey (L) 2B
2. Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
3. Vinnie Pasquantino (L) DH
4. Salvador Perez (R) C
5. Yuli Gurriel (R) 1B
6. MJ Melendez (L) LF
7. Tommy Pham (R) RF
8. Kyle Isbel (left) CF
9. Maikel Garcia (R) 3B

Starter: LHP Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14 ERA, 223 Ks)

The biggest takeaway from the Royals lineup is the return of slugger Vinnie Pasquantino. The man known in Kansas City as Pasquatch will play for the first time since Aug. 29 after missing last month with a broken thumb. Pasquantino starts at DH for KC today and is a lifetime .154 hitter at Camden Yards.