The professional baseball teams LG Twins and KIA Tigers will face off on 4th at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul.
LG is leading with 8 wins and 1 loss. KIA is struggling with injuries to players like Kim Do-young and Park Chan-ho, sitting at 4 wins and 6 losses, tied for 7th place. It is noteworthy whether LG can break the Karma with KIA from last year.
LG was dominated by KIA last year. They recorded 3 wins and 13 losses against KIA, with a loss margin of -10. In away games in Gwangju, they recorded 1 win and 6 losses, and at home in Jamsil, they recorded 2 wins and 7 losses. Particularly shocking was being swept in both of the 3-game series in the second half at Jamsil. They missed their chance to catch up with KIA, who sits in 1st place. LG is on a 7-game losing streak against KIA at Jamsil.
This is a great opportunity for LG. In the early part of the season, LG's rotation of Chi-Linos, Son Joo-young, Hernandez, Lim Chan-kyu, and Song Seung-ki is running steadily. The team's batting lineup is also focused, led by Austin (tied for 1st in home runs with 5) and Moon Bo-kyung (batting average .394 with 4 home runs).
LG has recorded the top earned run average (ERA) at 1.00 (2.59), 2nd in team batting average at .292, and 1st in OPS at .864. The starting pitchers are strong as well, with KIA having the top ERA at 2.33. LG follows at 2.82. However, in terms of bullpen ERA, LG stands at 2.10, ranking 2nd, while KIA is 9th at 7.41.
Last year, KIA had a solid bullpen, but they have blown saves 3 times in the early part of the season. Kwak Do-kyu has an ERA of 198.00, Jeon Sang-hyun has an ERA of 15.00, and closer Jung Hae-young has an ERA of 6.75, struggling. Newly acquired trade pitcher Jo Sang-woo has yet to show stable pitching.
LG's closer Yoo Young-chan is currently recovering from elbow surgery. Veterans Kim Jin-sung, free agent Kim Kang-ryul, Baek Seung-hyun, and Park Myung-geun are collectively responsible for the back bullpen. Jang Hyun-sik, who transferred from KIA to LG as a free agent last year, is expected to be registered in the first team roster on the 4th.
Although KIA is missing Kim Do-young due to injury, they lead the league in home runs. New foreign hitter Wisdom is tied with Austin (LG) for the league lead in home runs with 5. Key hitters Na Sung-bum (3 home runs) and Choi Hyung-woo (2 home runs) have often delivered crucial hits against LG.
In the first match of the season on the 4th, the starting pitchers will be Song Seung-ki for LG and Yang Hyun-jong for KIA.
Song Seung-ki, who completed his military service last year, has taken the 5th starting role this season and is making his first start as a pitcher. In his debut on the 27th against Hanwha, he pitched 7 innings allowing only 1 hit, 1 walk, with 5 strikeouts and no runs. His fastball reached up to 150 km/h and his slider performed well.
Yang Hyun-jong has recorded 2 losses this season with an ERA of 4.09. He became the losing pitcher on the 23rd against NC, pitching 5 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 home run, 3 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 5 strikeouts, and allowing 4 runs. On the 29th against Hanwha, he pitched 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 5 strikeouts, and 3 runs (1 earned), achieving a quality start, but his bullpen blew the win.
Yang Hyun-jong recorded 2 wins and 0 losses against LG last year with an ERA of 3.94 in 3 games. His overall record against LG shows 76 games, 29 wins, 14 losses, and an ERA of 3.24, making him a strong pitcher against LG.
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