Both rotations are running on fumes behind their Sunday starters. Kansas City has already lost Cole Ragans to Tommy John surgery and Kris Bubic to a cortisone shot, while Baltimore is nursing Chris Bassitt back from a back procedure and Zach Eflin from his own elbow reconstruction. Neither bullpen is much healthier, which is part of why both dugouts would love to see length from their guy Sunday.
The Royals arrive off a wild stretch that says more about their offense finding a pulse than their pitching turning a corner. They dropped a game to the Phillies, then reeled off 3 straight wins — including a 15-1 demolition of Philadelphia and a 16-12 slugfest win in Queens — before the bullpen let them down in the finale against the Mets. That's a lineup capable of erupting, even without Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia both banged up.
Baltimore's version of momentum looks the opposite. The O's won 2 in a row against Cincinnati to open their last stretch, then dropped 3 straight, including a 7-9 shootout loss to the Cubs where the bullpen simply couldn't hold a lead. Ryan Helsley and Keegan Akin are both out seeking second opinions on their elbows, which has left Baltimore's relief corps thinner than it wants to be down the stretch.
Neither team is playing for much beyond pride and roster evaluation at this point, with the Royals sitting at 38-55 and the Orioles not much better at 42-51. But if the last week is any indication, Sunday's finale in Baltimore has a real shot at turning into another track meet rather than a pitcher's duel.