MLB full-time 11th win pitcher. Why? I'm worried about going to the Korean Series after 4 games QS 0 times
Aug 31, 2024
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Lauer, ambitiously recruited by the KIA Tigers, has a solid major league career. He first made his big league debut with the San Diego Padres in 2018, and played 23 games as a big league starter that year, recording a 6-7 record with a 4.34 ERA. In the following year, he started 29 out of 30 games, losing 8-10 with a 4.45 ERA.
Since moving to the Milwaukee Brewers, he has been outstanding in the 2021-2022 season. He started 20 out of 24 games in the 2021 season, losing 7-5 with a 3.19 ERA. In the 2022 season, he played an active role as a full-time starting pitcher with 11 wins, 7 losses with a 3.69 ERA in 29 starts. Foreign pitchers of A-level or higher who usually come to the KBO League are also very rare in the big leagues with full-time starting experience.
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Even if a starting agent who usually performs well in Triple-A is called up to the big league, it is not easy to get a starting opportunity. Most of them start in minors, and more often go to and from the bullpen in the big leagues. Unless you are a clear prospect, most players with similar cases will come to Korea. He is getting a chance to start in the big league, but there is no reason to choose to go overseas.
Lauer, who has never had a big league call-up opportunity this year, drew attention when he was recruited by KIA because his career has been so good so far. KIA also recruited Aldred as a substitute for Will Crowe's injury, but chose Lauer again when his performance was not satisfactory, so it showed the best way to play.
However, the performance in the four games shown in the KBO League is not very impressive yet. In his first appearance on the 11th, he gave up four runs in three ⅓ innings against Samsung. This was a period of adaptation. He won his first win against LG on the 17th, allowing one run in five innings, but he was able to become a winning pitcher with the support of the batting lineup by barely taking care of five innings at the time.
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No matter how well you catch left-handed hitters, if you have a hit rate close to 40% for right-handed hitters, you will be helplessly hit by the opponent's goalkeeper lineup.
If Lauer continues to record this level of performance, KIA will also be deeply concerned. KIA, which is currently 4.5 games apart from second place, is the team with the highest chance of winning the regular season so far. However, there is a big question mark over the starters who will be responsible for four wins even if they win the regular season and go straight to the Korean Series.
James Nail, who is recovering from surgery after suffering an unexpected jaw injury, is not sure whether he will be able to return before the Korean Series, and Stout, who was hired as an injury replacement, cannot take the postseason mound. This is Hwang Dong-ha's first full-time season of selection.In the end, Yang Hyun-jong and Lauer have a lot of weight to bear, and it is inevitable that Lauer's performance so far is not enough.
It is a Lauer that must be proved for the short remaining time whether it is an adaptation problem or a fundamental orifice problem.
youll@sportschosun.com
