Currently, the pitching landscape of the KBO League's first half is led by Cody Ponce (Hanwha).
Ponce has recorded 11 wins and no losses in 17 games, with an earned run average of 1.99 (24 earned runs in 108⅔ innings) and 150 strikeouts. He is challenging for the Triple Crown, ranking first in earned run average, wins, and strikeouts.
However, since May 27, a new player has been leading the pitching landscape. Alex Gamboa, who joined the Lotte Giants as a new foreign pitcher, is dominating the league with his powerful pitching.
On the 2nd, he started in the regular season game against the LG Twins at Sajik Stadium in Busan, pitching 6⅔ innings, allowing 4 hits, 4 walks, and 6 strikeouts without allowing any runs. He led his team to a 5-2 victory, achieving his sixth consecutive winning start. That day, Gamboa overwhelmed opponents with his four-seam fastball, reaching a top speed of 158 km/h and averaging 154 km/h, throwing 60 of them. He also used a mix of 20 sliders, 10 changeups, and 9 curves.
Since joining, Gamboa has recorded outstanding stats with 6 wins and 1 loss in 7 games, an earned run average of 2.11 (10 earned runs in 42⅔ innings), 45 strikeouts, and 15 walks, with a WHIP of 1.15. While Ponce still holds the league's best earned run average, he is not the leader since Gamboa joined. Gamboa is now the leader in earned run average during this period, as well as wins and innings pitched.
Since Gamboa's arrival, Ponce's performance, the league's best pitcher, remains impressive, but it has declined compared to his overall season stats. During this period, Ponce has recorded 3 wins and 1 loss in 6 games, with an earned run average of 2.70 (11 earned runs in 36 innings) and 53 strikeouts. Although he has not played a single game in Major League Baseball, Gamboa is dominating the Korean stage as a left-handed fireballer. Ponce is also receiving renewed interest from Major League Baseball, and Gamboa is sure to attract attention as well. Nevertheless, Gamboa is focused on pitching for Lotte's championship.
He explained, "I am competing in good spirits with the other foreign pitchers. Since we are all showing good performances, we maintain a good relationship, communicating and competing in a friendly manner."
He added emphatically, "Right now, it’s more important for me to pitch hard for the Lotte Giants rather than return to America, focusing on getting to the Korean Series."
With a definite ace in Gamboa, Lotte has gained resilience even amid numerous injuries. At the beginning of the season, Park Se-woong and Tucker Davidson led the starting lineup, but they have since slowed down a bit. However, with Gamboa's addition, he is fulfilling the ace role effectively.
Since Gamboa's arrival, the team's record stands at 14 wins and 14 losses. Thanks to Gamboa's efforts, Lotte continues to maintain a .500 win ratio and is holding on to 3rd place, despite circumstances that required backup players to have more opportunities. Can Lotte rise to a higher ranking and possibly seize the Korean Series title with Gamboa?
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