For the KIA Tigers, the outcome of the remaining games does not affect their ranking. However, these are not insignificant games, either.
KIA lost the game against SSG Landers at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 17th, but the second-place Samsung Lions lost to the Doosan Bears, destroying all magic numbers and confirming the regular season title. With six games left for KIA before the game on the 22nd, KIA is marking 83 wins, 2 draws and 53 losses for the entire season.
Kia has confirmed its regular season No. 1, but it still has “view points.” The first thing to do is whether Kim Do-young will achieve 40 home runs and 40 steals for the first time as a native player. Kim Do-young, who hit multiple home runs against KT on the 16th of Suwon, has 37 home runs and 39 steals so far, leaving only three home runs and one stolen base from 40-40 to date.
As the team already confirmed the No. 1 ranking, it will proactively support Kim Do-young. “Kim will continue to play as a leadoff starter, alternating between third baseman and designated hitter. If he can, he should be given ample opportunity. I decided to play as the No. 1 hitter instead of No. 3 hitter at least once, and fans want to see him more,” Lee said.
The ace pitcher is on the verge of setting a new record of 170 innings in a row for the first 10 years in the KBO league. Having played 166 ⅓ innings so far this season, Yang will build a tower of 170 innings if he throws three more ⅔. With 30 saves, Jung Hae-young, who is most likely to become the relief pitcher for the first time in 26 years, seeks to secure the title by widening the gap with second-ranked Oh Seung-hwan (save 27).
And while these numbers are important, other players engage in fierce battles that are invisible to them. Main players take a break to prepare for the Korean Series, and opportunities are given to other players. For someone, these six games can be a showcase stage for players to join the Korean Series entry. Asked about the entry for the Korean Series, Lee said, “I will make a judgment based on how the players run so far.”
“There are certain players who make the top nine, but there are quite a few cases where you see unexpected things in the Korean series. It depends on how much influence they will have,” coach Lee said. “We will decide after a meeting with many people, but I want the players to show their positive thoughts and abilities as much as possible in the remaining games. Now that the situation has been created, I hope the young players will do their best to play the rest of the game.” 메이저놀이터