'Kim Ki-yeon has no experience playing in PS' Yang Eui-ji's injury variable, will it be a significant variable before the WC decision
Oct 02, 2024
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A big game is said to be a battle of momentum. Also, there are many times when experienced players play a role.
In that sense, whether Doosan Bears veteran catcher Yang Eui-ji will play in the game could be a key factor in determining the fate of Doosan and KT Wiz's wild card game.
Doosan's opponent has been decided. It is KT. In the final round of wild card games, fourth place is absolutely advantageous. I'm going to take one win. Both games will be played at home. Since it is less psychologically pursued, stable performance comes from the fourth-place team from the first game.
But there is one variable. It's Yang Eui-ji. Yang Eui-ji, who is recognized as the best catcher in the KBO League even after his mid-30s. The problem is that he was unable to play due to an injury to his collarbone at the end of the regular season.
There was some recovery time, so it was expected that he would be able to play in the wild card match, but his condition has not recovered dramatically. The collarbone inflammation remains, making it difficult for a starting catcher. Even if you don't wear a catcher's mask, you can revive the weight of the team-centered batters even if you play as a designated hitter, but you also have to wait and see whether you will play as a designated hitter.
Kwak Bin is said to be the ace who tied for the lead with 15 wins and multiple wins, but the catcher's lead is absolutely important in a big game. Head coach Lee Seung-yeop is trusting Kim Ki-yeon, who has gained experience this season, but it is no exaggeration to say that Yang Eui-ji's keeping the home ground is the difference between the sky and the ground. In particular, Kim Ki-yeon joined Doosan ahead of this season after playing for the LG Twins, but has no experience playing in the postseason. No matter how much they say it is the same baseball game, the tension and pressure felt by autumn baseball players are very different.
On the contrary, if Yang Eui-ji dramatically says he can play as a designated hitter, Doosan can take the lead in the atmosphere battle. The big game goes beyond objective factors such as physical strength and power, and a tight match is produced under enormous tension. Especially if it's the first game of the series. There is a big difference between whether or not there is a player who can play the role of a troubleshooter for the game. The atmosphere of the game can change greatly depending on whether Yang Eui-ji, who KT pitchers are forced to feel pressure, stands at the batter's box or not.
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