Semi-PO opponent is ‘8-8 in regular season’ NC…Manager Kim Won-hyung Kim, “Bullpen is recovering, preparing for our team’s situation”
The SSG Landers, who finished third in the regular season, have a semi-playoff opponent.
SSG will host the NC Dinos at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on April 22 for the first round of the 2023 KBO Postseason Semi-Finals. It will be a best-of-five, best-of-three series.
After SSG’s opponent was announced as NC, manager Kim Won-hyung said, “We were thinking that both teams are good teams, so we are focusing on our team’s situation and strength rather than preparing to face any team.”
He continued, “The bullpen pitchers focused on rest and recovery, and the starters who need game sense are trying to improve their condition with live BP. The outfielders are focusing on team play.”
SSG began preparing for the postseason on the 19th after the regular season ended on the 17th. “At the end of the regular season, we made it to the semi-finals with a good mood, focus and a unified will to win,” said Kim. We will prepare well to continue to show that in this series.”
SSG faced NC 16 times during the regular season this year, with the head-to-head record even at 8-8. A fierce battle for the playoffs is expected.
They will play the first game on the 22nd, the second game on the 23rd, and the 24th is a travel day. From the 25th, they will play the third and fourth games at NC’s home stadium, Changwon NC Park, and if they go to the fifth game, they will take a day off on the 27th and return to Incheon, home of SSG, 먹튀검증 which finished third in the regular season, on the 28th for the final game.
After starting with one game in hand, NC won the wild-card game against the Doosan Bears 14-9. Seo Ho-cheol swept three home runs and six RBIs, including a grand slam, while Kim Hyung-jun paced the offense with four hits, including a multi-homer game.
The offense broke down Doosan starter Kwak Bin, despite foreign pitcher Tanner Tully struggling with seven hits (one home run), three walks and five runs in four innings. Kwak was not good, allowing five runs on four hits (two homers) with four strikeouts and three walks in 3⅔ innings.
The bullpen then collapsed, with Kim Kang-ryul giving up two runs and Hong Gun-hee lasting less than an inning and giving up six runs.