The biggest variable has occurred. The second round of the playoffs scheduled for Thursday at Daegu Samsung Lions Park has been postponed due to rain. The rain, which began at 3 p.m., did not stop, and more rain was forecast after 6:30 p.m., making it a rainy day.
As a result, the second round of the PO will be held at the same venue on Saturday. However, LG’s starting pitcher has changed. LG will place Son Joo-young on the mound in the first inning of the second round of the PO, instead of Detrick N.S. In addition, Moon Sung-joo, who was excluded from the lineup during the game on the day, is likely to play as the starting pitcher. LG is highly likely to improve its performance in the second round of the PO due to rain.
LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop’s face was bright as well. “I thought a day off would help us a little bit, but it rained just in time. It will help us,” Yeom said after the match was confirmed. Regarding Son Joo-young’s starting pitcher instead of NCT, he viewed the change of rotation positively, saying, “NCT had to keep going out every four days. I needed a break when I think about my pitching, but that’s great.”
Son must be positive. Son has been superior to N.S. in both performance and ball games. In the semi-PO, Son allowed a total of 7.1 innings, 11 strikeouts, and no runs in his two interim appearances. In his two starts, N.S. gave up a total of seven runs in 8.2 innings. Son’s earned run average during the regular season is 3.79, and N.S. is 4.19.
It is also a plan that I had hoped for before the PO. After winning the 5th semi-PO game on the 11th, Yeom said, “If possible, I would like to use Son Joo-young as the starting player for the 2nd PO game. But I have to check my condition. If possible, I would like to use Son Joo-young for the 2nd PO game and ENC for the 4th PO game.”
He stared at the counterattack as the wind came true. “I think the trend of the series can change. It is definitely effective for Son to play in the second game as well as for Ence to take a rest,” Yeom said. “The middle pitcher didn’t overdo it except for Hernandez. However, he has a day off. Hernandez can throw two innings tomorrow,” signaling that he will more boldly run the mound.
Another good thing for LG and 롤토토 is that Moon Sung-joo, the main outfielder, is likely to start again. “If we played today, Moon Sung-joo would be on standby as a substitute, and Kim Bum-seok would be the designated hitter. Seong-ju has a bad hamstring,” Yeom said. “Seong-ju will check his condition again tomorrow. If he is in good condition tomorrow, Seong-ju will go out, and if he is in bad condition, Bum-seok will go out.”
Of course, the result will come out only when the game is played. The trend is that LG could be in favor, but Samsung is also not that bad. “It is better to cancel the game first than to cancel it in the rain. The worst part is that the game is canceled when Won Tae-in throws it,” Samsung coach Park Jin-man said. “If it rains, chances are high that his performance will not be as good. It is better to play in a good environment.”
Historically, rainy weather and soft weather often changed the trend of the postseason series. However, a day off is not bad for Samsung, which has three starting players from PO. It is also beneficial for starter Danny Reyes, who pitched well in the first round, to be given one more day off. The outcome of the second round of PO, which has been postponed to June 15, will determine the trend of the series.