The best pitchers throw the bullpen. This is the hidden worry of SSG Landers, who are going to retake the lead.
SSG won 11-7 in the match against Kiwoom Heroes held in Incheon on the 30th. SSG, who recorded 3 consecutive victories, played the same number of games (108 games) as the first place LG Twins as of this day, and succeeded in catching up to 5.5 games. It is now one game away from second place KT Wiz. As long as the good flow is maintained, SSG is still within range of 1st place. If this happens, LG, KT, and SSG can again compete for the lead in the final round with a top-three structure.안전놀이터
Although we won, there were also parts that were regrettable. Right away, the concerns about the bullpen were exposed.
SSG ran from 2-1 at the end of the 1st inning to 11-2 with scores every inning in the 5th inning. At the end of the 5th inning, there was already a 9-point gap, and as runs were scored on every chance, Kiwoom pitchers were lethargic. Looking at the score difference, the remaining 4 innings could have been won comfortably just by taking it without any burden.
Starting pitcher Kirk McCarty had a bit more pitching. 109 based on the 5th inning. It was a day when he showed poor condition with 2 runs in 5 innings, so he had no choice but to change the pitcher. In the top of the 6th inning with a 9-point gap, second pitcher Choi Min-joon took the mound.
However, the mood flowed strangely as Choi Min-joon allowed 4 hits in a row without catching a single out-count. Unfortunately, the defense overlapped, but the situation itself was difficult because he allowed hits without hesitation in a very fast count. After two runs, the bench had no choice but to replace the pitcher with Lim Jun-seop with two runners left.
Lim Jun-seop got the first out, but then allowed Ronnie Dawson to sweep 2 RBIs and doubles, sending all the runners responsible for Choi Min-jun. Even then, he conceded another run, and in the end, pitcher Noh Kyung-eun had to be called up without finishing the inning.
After finishing the 6th inning, Noh Kyung-eun was responsible for the 7th inning, Ko Hyo-jun in the 8th inning, and Seo Jin-yong in the 9th inning, ending the game.
In fact, a game with a margin of 9 points turned into a game that was chased by 4 points, so the pitchers of the Pilseungjoo had no choice but to mobilize. It was the first day of the week, and it was comforting that the pitchers had enough rest, but looking at the game flow alone, it was something we could never be satisfied with.
As such, the oldest pitchers in the current SSG bullpen deliver the most reliable pitches. Choi Min-joon is also playing the same role as Altoran this season, rookie Lee Ro-wun also throws the ball bravely, and Lim Jun-seop is also active as a one-point lefty after transferring. Noh Kyung-eun, the coolest pitcher with the most experience, and Koh Hyo-jun have the lowest percentage of collapses in difficult situations that occur during games.
As Seung-Won Moon has also returned to the starting lineup, the SSG bullpen currently lacks the number of actual pitchers. Finisher Seo Jin-yong is doing a ‘best ever’ performance, but it is not easy to fight his back on days when the starting pitcher is shaking.
In a situation where they have to retake the lead, a tougher game schedule awaits them in September. The stability of the bullpen is more important as physically difficult fights unfold, such as a double header with the remaining games and moving to another region after playing one game. How SSG solves this concern could be the key.