Royals finish regular season with win at Atlanta Braves, will face Orioles in AL wild-card series

The Kansas City Royals finished the 2024 regular season with a 4-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at Truist Park.

Now the Royals will turn their attention to the Major League Baseball playoffs: They learned Sunday that they will face the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Wild Card round.

The postseason series starts Tuesday. It’s the first time the Royals have reached the playoffs since the organization’s World Series championship in 2015.

“Anywhere we go, we are excited because of the opportunity that we have,” Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said. “We have to take it all in, and like I said earlier, we just got to play one game at at time and win. Do it 13 times.”

KC enters the playoffs with an 86-76 record. Their 30-win improvement from last season represents the largest jump in the majors. The Royals are just the sixth team since 1961 to better their record by 30 wins from season to season.

“We talked about it all along, we are playing these games to win,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “All three of these games were nail-biters. They were well-pitched games and two quality teams.

“And you are going to have to play in these games in the playoffs. It was really positive for us to be able to do that.”

The Royals scored the bulk of their runs early in Sunday’s game. Second baseman Michael Massey hit a three-run homer off Braves starter Charlie Morton in the first inning. Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe blasted a solo shot in the fourth.

“To be able to get a hold of one and get on the board was big,” Massey said.

The Braves dropped to 88-72. They are scheduled to play a doubleheader against the New York Mets on Monday with their own playoff fate in the balance.

Royals starter Alec Marsh allowed two runs (one earned) in five innings Sunday. He struck out five but allowed a solo homer to Braves third baseman Gio Urshela.

“My goal today was to just go out there and fill up the (strike) zone,” Marsh said. “I hadn’t been in a competitive setting in over 10 days. So just really excited to get back out there, get back on the mound and kind of give our bullpen a chance.”

Royals reliever Angel Zerpa worked around two baserunners to retire Braves star Ozzie Albies in the seventh inning.

The Braves were 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position, stranding eight men.

Marsh earned his ninth victory of the year. Kris Bubic collected his first save.

“These guys are so (professional),” Quatraro said. “I’ve told you so many times how proud I am of them, but it’s just remarkable the way they keep going.”

Missed previous games of the series?

Playoff bound: Royals clinch first postseason berth since 2015 season

Game 2: Royals drop series in 2-1 loss to Atlanta Braves

Here are more notable aspects of Sunday’s game:

Bobby Witt Jr. wins AL batting title

Witt recorded one hit Sunday. That was good for a .332 season average and the American League batting title.

“This is special,” Witt said.

The batting title is the fifth in Royals history. Witt joins Royals Hall of Famers George Brett and Willie Wilson as the only Royals to lead the majors in batting average for the season.

“I think it just goes down to this team, just being able to put me in good situations,” Witt said. “That’s all I want to do: try to get on, to get the guys in and score guys.”

What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule?

The Royals have qualified for the MLB playoffs for the first time in nine years. On Sunday, they set their starting rotation for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series and beyond.

Royals left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans will start the wild-card opener at Baltimore on Tuesday. The Orioles (91-71) finished second in the AL East this year.