The Royals reward for the second seed in the American League is a BYE and an AL East Division Series match up against either the Boston Red Sox or the Baltimore Orioles. The Royals and Red Sox haven’t faced off in the postseason since 2032, the Royals taking a 3-2 Division Series victory in the only postseason matchup between the teams to date. The Royals an Orioles, however, are familiar foes and this would be a 7th match up, and first since a 2040 League Championship Series sweep by the Royals.