2024-07-03 10:02:10
The KIA Tigers and Samsung Lions, who have been in the top ranks throughout the season, will play their last three games of the first half of the season in Daegu from the 2nd to the 4th. The gap between the leading KIA and the third-place Samsung is only two games, so this is a series where the lead could change.
The leader KIA has not been in good form recently. They have not lost the top spot since early April, but they lost the game against Lotte Giants on June 25 after failing to defend a 13-point lead, and then lost three games in a row. On the 28th, they were crushed 6-17 at home by last-place Kiwoom Heroes, and really lost face.
The reason for KIA’s slump is the mound. The mound collapsed enough to give up 49 runs in the four games last week. 28 of those runs were given up by bullpen pitchers. The league’s overall ERA is not low at 4.43 (2nd), but the bullpen ERA in June is 6.11, which is the lowest.
With closer Jeong Hae-young out due to injury, Choi Ji-min, Jeon Sang-hyun, Jang Hyeon-sik, and Kwak Do-gyu, who should be playing their roles, are all underperforming.
KIA, whose mood has been subdued, is fortunate to have had a break after the game against Kiwoom on the 29th and 30th was canceled due to rain. It was truly a rain shower for KIA, which had 1 draw and 3 losses in 4 games last week.
KIA attempted to change the atmosphere by changing the head coach from Jin Gap-yong to Son Seung-rak.
Coach Son, who ranked second in career saves during his active years, has memories of developing young bullpen pitchers such as Choi Ji-min and Kwak Do-gyu after joining KIA in 2022, so we can expect a rebound in the pitching staff.
KIA plans to focus all its efforts on maintaining its lead by having its aces, including foreign one-two punch James Nail and Cam Aldred, as well as Yang Hyeon-jong, on standby for the 2nd to 4th.
Samsung’s recent situation is also not good. After losing 1-2 to LG Twins last week, they ended up with 1 draw and 2 losses against KT Wiz.
In particular, the three-game series against KT was bitter. They were leading 4-3 until the top of the 9th on the 28th, but in the bottom of the 9th, Oh Seung-hwan failed to protect the 1-point lead and gave up a walk-off hit to Hong Hyun-bin, resulting in a shocking comeback loss.
Then, on the 29th, they showed active offense from the beginning and were ahead 7-1 until the top of the 4th inning, but it was declared a no game due to rain in the bottom of the 4th inning.
In the second game of the doubleheader held on the 30th, the batting lineup only managed 3 runs, ending up with a miserable record of 1 draw and 1 loss.
Samsung also faced injury troubles. Key hitter Kim Young-woong suffered a thigh injury again on the 29th when he overworked himself and was declared a no-game, and key bullpen player Kim Tae-hoon was diagnosed with a torn left oblique muscle in the first game of the doubleheader on the 30th. It will be difficult for both players to play against KIA.
Samsung, despite being hit by the monsoon rain, did not rest, but rather suffered injuries and lost results, making the atmosphere even more gloomy.
In a situation where a quick change is needed, foreign starters Connor Siebold and Denny Reyes will take the lead against KIA. Left-handed pitcher Lee Seung-hyun, who has the best pace among recent native starters, will also be waiting to catch KIA.
Rain is also a variable in this series. Rain is forecast for the Daegu area on the 2nd from 4 to 6 p.m. There is no rain forecast from 7 p.m., but if the ground conditions are not good, the game may not be played.
From the 3rd, the clouds are expected to clear and the sun will come out, but considering the unpredictable weather, it is unpredictable.
(Seoul = News 1)
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2024-07-03 10:02:10