Daegu: The Samsung Lions have achieved their goal of securing a split on the road against the SSG Landers in their Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason series. However, the challenge intensifies as the Lions prepare for the next two games at home in Daegu.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Lions are set to face off against Drew Anderson in the pivotal Game 3 of this best-of-five series on Monday night. Anderson was a standout in the KBO this season, ranking second with 245 strikeouts and third with a 2.25 ERA. In his two regular-season appearances against the Lions, Anderson allowed just three earned runs on 10 hits across 13 innings, striking out 19.
Lions manager Park Jin-man emphasized the importance of frustrating Anderson and extending at-bats, particularly since the pitcher is returning from a recent bout of stomach flu. "He was one of the very best starting pitchers in the KBO this year, but we will see how he feels physically today," Park stated during his pregame media session. "We hope he will lose some zip on his pitches as he gets deeper into the game. We have to make him throw a lot of pitches."
Once Anderson exits the game, the Lions will face the formidable Landers' bullpen, which led the KBO with a 3.36 ERA during the regular season. In the first two games of the series, key relievers Lee Ro-un, Noh Kyung-eun, and Kim Min have yet to allow a run in 7 2/3 innings combined.
Park expressed optimism that his hitters' familiarity with the Landers' relievers could yield better results. "Coming into this series, we knew we had to score off their bullpen at some point. And I think our hitters are now more familiar with those relievers and their patterns," Park said. "I expect our guys to get the job done against their bullpen."
The Lions' bullpen has also performed well, and Park is confident in his starting rotation for the upcoming games. Right-hander Won Tae-in will take the mound on Monday, followed by top starter Ariel Jurado in a potential series-clinching game on Tuesday. "We have our two best starters here and hopefully, we'll be able to finish this series in Daegu," Park added.