The 2014 MLB postseason begins Tuesday, with the Kanas City Royals set to host the Oakland Athletics in the American League Wild Card Game (8:07 p.m. ET, TV: TBS).
Kansas City captured the top AL Wild Card spot to secure its first postseason berth in 29 years, and came within one game of the division-winning Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.
Oakland is returning to the playoffs for the third straight year after finishing one game back of Royals in the Wild Card.
The Royals won the regular-season series against the A’s, 5-2, taking two of three games in Oakland during their first meeting (Aug. 1-3), and then winning three of four at Kauffman Stadium (Aug. 11-14).
Both teams will send their respective aces to the mound Tuesday, with James Shields starting for the Royals and Jon Lester for the A’s in what could be an epic pitcher’s duel.
But which club is best prepared to move on to the ALDS?
Here’s an in-depth look at the AL Wild Card Game matchup between the Royals and A’s.