The LG Twins pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind win in Game 2 of the Korean Series (KS-7). However, Choi Won-tae’s struggles left LG with a big question mark. All eyes are now on Im Chan-kyu (31), the starting pitcher for Game 3 of the KS.
LG will take on the KT Wiz in Game 3 of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League KS at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the afternoon of the 9th.
LG went straight to KS after winning the regular season title this year, 29 years after winning the 1994 season. The team is determined to complete the sweep by taking the top spot in KS.
LG lost the first game of KS 2-3. However, they turned things around in the second game of the KS, overcoming a four-point deficit.
However, there are obvious challenges. The starting lineup is unstable. With Adam Plutko out of the lineup, Choi Won-tae, who had been designated as the No. 2 starter, gave up four runs in 0.1 innings in Game 2. Kim Yun-sik, who was originally scheduled to start Game 4, has also struggled this season with a 4.22 ERA. In this situation, Choi Won-tae’s early exit was a huge blow to the LG starting lineup.
Im Chan-kyu could be the key to breaking out of this predicament. This season, Im has a 14-3 record with a 3.43 ERA. With his changeup and curveball, he’s been able to keep KBO hitters at bay, and unlike the usual gap between his first and second halves, this season he’s been consistent in both.
However, Lim has struggled against the KT Wiz this season, posting a 6.61 ERA in 16.1 innings pitched. His WHIP (walks allowed per inning) was also high at 2.08. That’s more than two batters per inning. 무지개토토 도메인
Lim has allowed three or more hits to Kim Min-hyuk, Hwang Jae-gyun, Kim Sang-soo, and Alford this season. He has also given up multiple hits and a sacrifice fly in four at-bats. This is how many KT Wiz hitters have shown weaknesses.
LG’s starting lineup has been weighed down by Choi Won-tae’s struggles, and they desperately need a strong performance from their “domestic ace,” Im Chan-kyu. However, Im has shown weaknesses against KT Wiz. It will be interesting to see if he can defeat the ‘nemesis’ KT WIZ and give the LG starting lineup a boost.