Playing time: 4:08 PM ET

Where to watch: ESPN2, espn.com

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

Orioles lineup

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

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

No real surprises in the batting order Brandon Hyde rolls out to face Royals ace Cole Ragans. James McCann will continue to get the catching duties when Corbin Burnes is on the mound, but the backup could have something to say offensively. Baltimore’s backup backstop had an OPS of 1.087 in September and has three home runs in his last 14 ABs.

McCann getting the start behind the plate could also be an offensive boost for Adley Rutschman. The two-time All-Star was a .298 hitter with an .854 OPS while DH’ing this season. Combine that with Rutschman’s .329/.390/.512 OPS against lefties and Adley could have an impressive postseason debut in store in 2024.

Even with lefty Ragans as an opponent, both Colton Cowser and Cedric Mullins start in the outfield. The Royals ace is a reverse splits guy, with lefties hitting .276 against Ragans, although 13 of his 15 home runs enabled game via right-handed hitters. Expect Ryan O’Hearn and Emmanuel Rivera to be the primary pinch-hitting options off 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 Isabel (L) CF
9. Maikel Garcia (R) 3B

Starting Pitcher: 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 as Pasquatch around Kansas City will play for the first time since Aug. 29 after missing the past month with a broken thumb. Pasquantino starts at DH for KC today and is a lifetime .154 hitter at Camden Yards.