The KIA Tigers in professional baseball are facing a more unstable bullpen in the early season compared to last year. The bullpen's earned run average (ERA) is 6.37, ranking 9th among the 10 teams. The bottom-ranked Kiwoom has the worst at 6.41.
KIA's left-handed reliever Kwak Do-kyu underwent surgery for an elbow injury in mid-April, resulting in him being out for the season. On the first-team roster, there are left-handed relievers Choi Ji-min (ERA 4.50) and Lee Jun-young (ERA 5.40). Kim Gi-hoon has been registered on the first team for the first time this season as a special entry for the doubleheader on the 10th. There is a lack of a reliable left-handed one-point pitcher.
Manager Lee Beom-ho noted during an interview with reporters ahead of the doubleheader against SSG on the 11th, when mentioning the left-handed relievers, "I think we have to use what we have. There are days when the bullpen throws well if conditions are right. They will perform well at critical times. Jun-young is the most reliable left-handed reliever we need to use consistently."
He added, "Since many of the relievers in the middle can pitch against both left and right hitters, we should allow them to rest at the right times. In the case of (Jeon) Sang-hyun, I believe he should be used more against left-handed batters. I think that will not pose any problems."
With a 2-0 lead in the 7th inning, Jeon Sang-hyun came in as the second pitcher, getting 2 outs but allowing a ground ball single to the 9th batter Kim Chan-hyung. Kim Seon-bin, who fielded the ground ball toward second base, attempted a running throw but failed to make the out. There was a regret that there should have been a defensive substitution. KIA then replaced Jeon Sang-hyun with left-handed Lee Jun-young. SSG's left-handed batters Choi Ji-hoon and Park Seong-han followed.
If Jeon Sang-hyun had continued to pitch against left-handed batters. The manager said, "(Jeon Sang-hyun) could have stayed in, but Jun-young has been prepared as well. The likelihood of a big hit is lower when it’s a lefty vs. lefty matchup. Choi Ji-hoon is currently in very good condition, so even a short hit could cause trouble, and if it happens against Park Seong-han, we might fall into another left vs. left situation again."
Park Seong-han does not seem to be in good condition lately, and according to the data, (Lee Jun-young) performed well. I thought one of the two would definitely make a play. Then, in the 8th, I would use (Jo) Sang-woo and put Ha-young in the 9th to tidy up the game. I never imagined a hit, especially a double, would happen there. It would be ideal if things went as we thought, but if they did not, such situations can occur."
He added, "Ultimately, the infielders allowed a run in a tie situation right away. Although Oliver pitched exceptionally well, it weighs on my mind that we could not secure the win."
So, how do they decide the order of left-handed relievers Lee Jun-young and Choi Ji-min? It depends on the game situation.
The manager explained, "I think Jun-young is best used against 1-2 batters, and Ji-min does not distinguish between left and right batters, but there should be some variability in the score. He has some control issues, so allowing a walk to the lead-off batter could complicate things, so I try to bring Ji-min in under more comfortable situations. Jun-young, on the other hand, has great ability to face 1-2 batters in tighter scenarios."
Considering those aspects, they are being brought in, and sometimes they work well, and sometimes they don’t. It varies depending on the players' conditions. However, the key is to have faith in the players and ensure their conditions are optimized. That’s how we have been preparing them."
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