Foreign pitcher misses 2 weeks, no worries… Domestic pitcher 6G consecutive 5 innings or more. Suddenly a starting powerhouse

A foreign pitcher’s start was pushed back, but no worries. This is a completely different starting lineup for the LG Twins.

LG has practically carried the season with a foreign one-two punch, Im Chan-gyu, and a strong bullpen. The Korean fourth and fifth starters have been underwhelming. Through seven days, LG has played 94 games, with Plutko leading the team as an ace with an 11-2 record and 2.33 ERA in 18 games, while Kelly has had his share of shaky outings, but has appeared in a team-high 21 games with a 7-5 record and 4.63 ERA. After starting the season in long relief, Lim quickly moved back into the starting rotation, going 8-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 16 starts. The trio combined for a 26-9 record and a 3.42 ERA in 55 games.

Other pitchers, including Kim Yun-sik, Lee Min-ho, Kang Hyo-jong, Lee Sang-young, Lee Jung-yong, Lee Ji-gang, and Choi Won-tae, had a combined starting record of 5-14 with a 5.28 ERA in 39 games. While most teams are worried about their 4.5 starters in Korea, LG’s unreliability in the fourth and fifth innings is a critical weakness for a championship contender. Naturally, LG would like to have Plutko and Kelly on the mound as much as possible.

However, Plutko was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and has missed about two weeks since July 25 against the KT Wiz. He is scheduled to start against the Gwangju KIA Tigers on July 8. Kelly was also hit in the right arm by Song Sung-moon’s bat in the first inning against the Jamsil Kiwoom on July 3. He suffered a bruise and will be given a week’s rest.

Last week, LG made one start with Plutko out and five starts with Korean pitchers. There were concerns, but it worked. Choi Won-tae filled in for the foreign pitchers and Lee Jung-yong and Lee Ji-gang showed signs of improvement.

Won-tae Choi, who acquired the LG uniform in a one-for-three trade that included the rights to Shin In-sung, pitched six innings of two-hit ball against Doosan in Jamsil on July 30. On July 5, he took the loss at Daegu Samsung Electronics, giving up six runs on nine hits in five innings, but he’s not worried.

Lee recorded his first quality start since making the switch to the starting rotation on the 2nd with six innings of three-hit, four-strikeout ball against Jamsil Kiwoom. Lee Ji-gang also pitched the most innings since his debut, allowing two runs on four hits (one home run) and one walk in 5⅔ innings against Daegu Samsung Electronics on the 4th. He was able to go five innings after improving as a starter. On Tuesday, he pitched 5⅔ innings of two-run ball against Kiwoom, and on Sunday, he pitched five innings of one-run ball against Samsung Electronics in Daegu, fulfilling the role of a domestic ace. Samsung Electronics was in the midst of a two-game losing streak after winning seven in a row, so he fulfilled the important role of breaking the losing streak. 스포츠토토

From Choi Won-tae on July 30 to Im Chan-gyu on July 8, Korean pitchers pitched at least five innings in six consecutive games. It was the first time this year.

This week, without Kelly, the four Korean starters will take the field for a six-game series against the KIA Tigers and Kiwoom Heroes. The worry is greatly reduced. The improved performance of the Korean starters has greatly reduced my anxiety.

LG’s starting baseball is also getting better. It’s a big boost for LG, which needs to defend its top spot.