No matter how good the pitching is, it is difficult to win one game, ERA 2.19, but 3 wins-QS 11 times, 4 wins, and the last place is higher than the first place in the KBO League

Jul 16, 2024

Murakami, who won the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards at the same time last year, has a 2.19 ERA this year, but has only won three games. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

Chunichi left-hander Ogasawara. He has a 2.45 ERA, but he has more losses than wins. Photo capture = Chunichi Dragons SNS

It's very difficult to win one game.

Hanshin Tigers right-hander Saiki pitched eight innings of one run against the Chunichi Dragons on June 25 and became a losing pitcher. He scored one point after two outs in the eighth inning, which became the winning point that led to a 0-1 defeat. On the same day, Hanshin's batters had only six hits and no runs against three Chunichi pitchers. After that, Saiki played quality start plus (more than 7 innings as a starter, less than 3 earned runs) in 2 games, but failed to win. He gave up seven scoreless innings against Hiroshima Carp on July 2, allowed one run in seven innings against Yakult Swallows on July 9, and turned around without a win or loss.

Yomiuri Giants right-hander Iori Yamasaki (26). On July 2, he played against Chunichi, allowing two runs in seven innings and holding a loss. The Yomiuri lineup was blocked by Chunichi, which four players threw consecutively, with five hits and one run. Chunichi won the game 2-1. Yamasaki started an interleague game against the Softbank Hawks on May 28 and allowed one run in six innings. He played a sufficient role as a starter, but his team lost 0-2. The lineup, which was blocked by the strong Softbank pitching staff, only had three hits and no runs.

Japanese professional baseball, which has been hit by super-powerful 'thugo-taser' The Central League is more. As of the 15th, a total of 11 pitchers have played regulation innings in the Central League. Hiroshima right-hander Daichi Oseira is the top in the category with a 0.88 ERA. He pitched 14 games and 92 innings until the game against Yakult on July 13, which ended with six scoreless innings, with only nine earned runs. A hit rate of 1778 and WHIP (on-base allowance per inning) of 0.93.

Saiki, Morishita Masato (Hiroshima), Yamasaki, Azuma Katsuki (Yokohama BayStars) and Tokoda Hiroki (Hiroshima) are in second to sixth place. All of these five pitchers have an ERA of one point. Saiki is 1.12, Morishita is 1.62, Yamasaki is 1.69, Azuma is 1.80, and Tokoda is 1.82.

Kotaro Otake (Hanshin) is the last in ERA among 11 players with 2.45. It is lower than the No. 1 ERA in the KBO League. In the Korean professional baseball league, NC Dinos Kyle Hart ranks first and second with 2.57 and KIA Tigers James Nail with 2.96. Only two players maintain the two-point range.

Yomiuri left-hander Yamasaki. He posted an ERA of 1.69 and won six games. Photo capture =Miuri Giants SNS

All 11 of them have recorded quality starts (more than 6 innings and less than 3 earned runs) in more than 10 games. Azuma and Tokota finished all 15 games with quality starts.

Overall, the pitching power is superior, so it is difficult to win with any good pitching.

Last year's MVP Shoki Murakami (Hanshin) has a 2.19 ERA and has three wins (six losses). Shinnosuke Ogasawara (Chunichi) won four games (6 losses) at 2.25, and Aren Guri (Hiroshima) won four games (5 losses) at 2.41. Even if the batters don't score and pitch well, they don't get a win easily. As a result, the tight race ends at the end of the ninth inning or frequently passes to overtime.

Until the 15th, Saiki, Azuma, and Tokota are tied for first place with eight wins side by side.

The Pacific League, which has a relatively good offense, is a little different. There is only one player with an ERA of one point. Softbank's Cuban left-hander Riva Moinello has a 5-3 record with a 1.69 ERA.

Hanshin right-hander Saiki. He has eight wins and is tied for first place with multiple wins. Photo capture = Hanshin Tigers SNS

The Pacific League's Softbank and Chiba Lotte Marines rank first and second in the batting average of both leagues. Except for the overwhelming lowest-ranked Seibu Lions, five teams have more than 240 units. Five of the six Central League teams remain in the 220-300 team batting average.

huelva@sportschosun.com