The American League Wild Card Game will take place in Kansas City this year, with the Kansas City Royals set to host the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Kauffman Stadium.
AL Wild Card Game: Royals will host Athletics on TBS
The Royals will host the Athletics as they look to advance in their first postseason appearance since 1985.
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The game will be televised by TBS, with Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling and Cal Ripken in the booth.
The Royals almost caught the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central title this month, but fell short on the last day of the season to settle for the AL Wild Card. It's still nothing to scoff at for Kansas City, considering the team hasn't made the postseason since 1985.
Oakland didn't clinch its postseason spot until Sunday, outlasting the Seattle Mariners to meet Kansas City despite faltering throughout the second half of the season. A season-ending 4-0 win over the Texas Rangers ensured the spot for the A's.
James Shields is slated to start the 163rd game on just three days rest, manager Ned Yost told reporters Sunday. The Royals' ace has logged a 3.21 ERA over 227 innings this season, and would be making his 35th start of the year. He doesn't sound opposed, though:
“This is what it’s all about,” Shields said. “This is what playoff baseball is all about. You’ve got to push aside some of your aches and pains and go after it.”
The game will begin at 8:07 p.m. ET on Tuesday, MLB announced Sunday.
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