The third spot was tight until the end of the season. It would eventually be decided in the final match. For now, the baton goes to SSG Landers.
SSG won 3-2 against the Doosan Bears in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul at 6:30 p.m. on April 16. With the win, SSG secured at least fourth place with a season record of 75 wins, 3 losses, and 65 draws. With the loss, Doosan clinched fifth place with a record of 74 wins, 2 losses and 67 draws.
SSG’s starting pitcher, left-hander Roenis Elias, played a key role in the victory. Elias threw 98 pitches over seven innings, allowing one run and four hits, walking two and striking out five to earn his eighth win of the season. At the plate, Han Yoo-seom, batting third and playing right field, went 1-for-2 with a run, a walk and two RBIs.
At the same time, the NC Dinos and KIA Tigers played at KIA Champions Field in Gwangju, Korea, with KIA pulling off a thrilling 4-2 come-from-behind victory over NC.
NC started Eric Peddie, who became the first pitcher in 37 years to reach 20 wins and 200 strikeouts in a season since Seon Dong-yeol in 1986. Despite being hit by a pitch during the game, Pedi did his job well with 5.2 scoreless innings. However, NC’s chances to clinch third place on their own were dashed in the bottom of the eighth inning when Lim Jung-ho gave up three runs on three hits in 0.1 innings.
The good news for SSG is that with their win over Doosan, SSG can now punch their own ticket to third place with NC’s loss. With a win or a draw against Doosan on the 17th, SSG can now claim third place regardless of the outcome of NC’s game that day. 메이저사이트
The situation of their final opponent, Doosan, is also smiling on SSG. With a loss, Doosan will clinch fifth place. Doosan, which will host the first round of the wild card on the 19th, is expected to rest a lot of its starters from the game on the 17th. The starting pitcher was changed to Jang Won-jun instead of Choi Seung-yong, who was initially mentioned by coach Lee Seung-yup before the game. Jang’s record this season is 3-4 with a 4.66 ERA.
SSG will be led by homegrown ace Kim Kwang-hyun. Kim is 8-8 with a 3.66 ERA this season. While he hasn’t been as dominant as he once was, he is SSG’s second most reliable starter behind Elias. Given the objective record between the two starters and Doosan’s situation, the edge goes to SSG.
The deck is stacked in SSG’s favor as they take on Doosan at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on April 17 to clinch a spot in the semifinals. There’s only one thing left for SSG to do: win.
What if SSG finishes 3rd?
Win against Doosan: 3rd place regardless of the NC match
Draw against Doosan: 3rd place regardless of the NC match
Loss to Doosan: 3rd if NC loses, 4th if NC wins or ties
Number of cases for NC 3rd place
Win against KIA: SSG must lose to finish 3rd
Tie against KIA: 3rd place if SSG loses (same win percentage but NC has superior goal differential)
KIA loss: 4th place regardless of SSG’s performance