 SK Wyverns manager Lee Man-soo, right, directs the team while coaching staff look on during Game 2 of the Korean Series held at Daegu Ballpark, Wednesday. / Yonhap |
By Yoon Chul
Defending champions SK Wyverns will clash against the regular season champ Samsung Lions on their home turf at Munhak Ballpark, Incheon, today.
Can the Wyverns sweep all two home games to level the series and defend their title?
If the past 28 Korean Series games are any precursor, only one team snatched the champion title after losing the first two games in the previous 28 Korean Series.
But then again, it was the Wyverns who achieved that feat.
In 2007, the Incheon-based team lost the first two games against the Doosan Bears but won the next four consecutive games for the title.
In order to launch a counterattack, the Wyverns need to not necessarily organize the pitchers but the batters.
During last two Korean Series, the Wyverns earned only one run while the Lions pitchers combined for 29 strikeouts including 17 strikeouts in Game 1, a new record of the Korean Series.
The Lions pitchers were outstanding but that would be no excuse for the Wyverns as they stumble severely.
The Wyverns batters also showed that they were losing their concentration. They combined for 17 hits in two games but scored only one.
Especially in the top of the sixth inning in Game 2, the Wyverns’ runners were on the third and second with no outs but the next three batters couldn’t call the runners home.
The reason the Wyverns batters didn’t perform at their best is because they were exhausted taking the two playoffs rounds. This fatigue is what the Wyverns really need to overcome.
Wyverns interim manager Lee Man-soo wasn’t to concerned after losing Game 1 but his attitude changed after Game 2.
“It’s regrettable that my boys are so extremely worn out,” Lee said.
It was known that veteran shortstop Park Jin-man could barely stand up.
“Even we take one more rest thanks to rain, we will not overcome our fatigue,” Wyverns leadoff hitter Jung Keun-woo said.
For a one day break the Wyverns should recharge themselves as much as they can.
The lone consolation for the Wyverns is their key batters Park Jae-sang, Choi Jung and Park Jung-kwon seemed to get back the rhythm generating a hit in Game 2.
Against the Wyverns, the Lions manager Ryu Joong-il announced that the starter of Game 3 is Justin Germano, while Cha Woo-chan, who overwhelmed the Lions in Game 1, will stand by at the bullpen.
Germano joined the Lions in August and met the Wyverns once in the regular season. At that time the American allowed two runs in the sixth inning.
The L ions boss expects Germano to endure only the first three or four innings.
When the Lions’ strong bullpen operates it could be tougher for the Wyverns to score.
The best way for the weary Wyverns to win at this time is scoring earlier than the Lions and keep the lead.
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