Challenge to capture 72.5% chance of winning the championship, KIA manager Lee Bum-ho "It won't be easy to score multiple points. Winning runs.""
Oct 21, 2024
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Coach Lee met with reporters ahead of Game 1 of the Korean Series against the Samsung Lions at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 21st. At this meeting, director Lee said, `I've only been thinking about how to win. I think I'm less nervous today than the day the team was decided. Previously, I was sensitive about which team would come to the Korean Series. After the decision was made, I think there are conditions for me to feel comfortable and concentrate in many ways,' he said in the first round.
KIA, which won the pennant race with 87 wins, 2 draws and 55 losses, showed strong performance in both two and one hit this season. He ranks first among the 10 clubs with a team batting average of 311 Lee and a team ERA of 4.40. While he has been selected as a favorite early on before the season, he is aiming for the V12 beyond winning the pennant race.
KIA had an overwhelming advantage with 12 wins and 4 losses against Samsung this season. However, it is difficult to conclude the victory or defeat of the Korean Series, which is a short-term match. In particular, Samsung's bat, which ranks first in home runs in the team, is comparable to KIA's.
By 2023, the first-round winning team has a 72.5% chance of winning a total of 41 Korean Series games, and if it wins consecutively until the second round, the winning rate will reach 90%. This is why attention is bound to be paid to the results of the first and second games at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju from the 21st to the 22nd.
Director Lee said, `I don't think the first game will be easy to play. If Samsung had played until Game 5 and Won Tae-in did not come out today, a more active hit might have been made. As the ace came up, I don't think there will be many points. I thought it would be advantageous to score one point at a time when I can score. I think the batters are perfectly ready. I think there will be a difference depending on how the table setter unravels."
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▶Not much different. I've only thought about how to win. I think I'm less nervous today than the day the team was decided. Previously, I was sensitive about which team would come to the Korean Series. After the decision was made, it seems that conditions have been prepared to make you feel comfortable and focus in many ways.
-Why did Seo Geon-chang start.
▶Lee Woo-sung was not in good shape at the last minute. When I watched the practice game and live batting, I felt like my condition had not risen yet. Since it was a showdown between aces, I thought I had to pay attention to the details. In that regard, I thought Seo Geon-chang would be more careful. He is a player who has played a lot of big games. In terms of condition, Seo Geon-chang was a little more ahead.
-The hot topic of the Korean Series direct team is the sense of hit.
▶I think it will be hard to play the first game. If Samsung had played until Game 5 and Won Tae-in did not come out today, a more active hit might have been made. As the ace came up, I don't think there will be many points. I thought it would be advantageous to score one point at a time when I can score. I think the batters are perfectly ready. I think there will be a difference depending on how the table setter is solved.
-Choi Won-jun went to number 7.
▶I thought it would be better to play in front of the central lineup than the central lineup due to Socrates' nature. Choi Won-joon is in good condition, but he is expected to play a role in making it underneath. I thought it was a situation where if you create a chance from below, you can get caught on top. I saw a stable direction for the team.
-The number of pitches and innings of nails.
▶I don't know about the innings. I think I'll run out of power between 70 and 80. If you judge that the number of pitches is weak, you can change it aggressively. Even if the number is right, you can go as it is if it is okay. As the bullpen rested for a long time, the first and second games were set up to catch them all-in. The must-win group can also go out at an early date.
-The specific way to subtract 1 point is. I wonder if he's nervous as a novice director.
▶ This means that he will do it at a time when he has to score one point. The same is true of the pennant race, but when you play a big game, it is difficult to catch it after the chance passes. Veteran coaches and novice coaches are all expected to be burdensome. I don't care much. I've had a lot of experience while playing big games. The coach's position may be different from that of the player, but I think he is less nervous and watches the players' play well.
-There's a rain forecast, but I'm worried about it.
▶I think I'll be fine today. If it rains tomorrow, there will be a situation where Reyes can come out in the second game. However, he threw a lot during the playoffs. I think he lost some power in terms of ball power. I think our hitters will be able to attack enough. I don't think the weather will benefit any team. LG, which took a lot of rest, was not in Samsung's favor. The same will be true of the Korean series.
-The key player of the lineup is.
▶Batters 1 and 2 should get on base. There is a high probability of meeting Won Tae-in in Games 1 and 5. We need to target Won Tae-in somehow today so that he can enter the batter's box with confidence next time. Depending on Park Chan-ho's on-base status, I think the lineup will be more powerful.
-The reason why Lim Ki-young is missing.
▶I thought about Lim Ki-young and Kim Dae-yu. Samsung batters are good at targeting sidearm pitchers. When players experiencing the postseason for the first time, like Kwak Do-gyu and Choi Ji-min, were shaken, they thought about finding stability by attaching veteran Kim Dae-yu and Lee Joon-young. I thought about the situation where veterans supported me.
ppark@sportschosun.com
