August 18th 18:00 KBO LG KIA Korea-Japan Baseball Analysis Sports Analysis
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Due to the collapse of the pitching staff, LG suffered a significant defeat and will try to avoid being swept by putting forward Dietrich Enns (9 wins, 5 losses, 4.14 ERA). On the 13th, Enns pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 runs during an away game against Hanwha, but his recent performance over the last 3 games has not been good overall. On July 10, he achieved a remarkable performance against KIA at home by throwing 7.1 innings without allowing any runs, but he has had bad luck specifically against KIA. The LG batting lineup scored 4 runs against KIA’s pitching staff in the previous game but failed to convert numerous scoring opportunities against Lauer, which ultimately led to their defeat. The ability to perform against rivals can severely impact their chances as they head towards fall baseball. The bullpen, which allowed 9 runs over 3.2 innings, suffered critically from the poor performances of submariners Jung Woo-young and Park Myung-geun.
KIA, having achieved a three-game winning streak thanks to an explosive batting performance, will challenge for a series sweep with James Neile (10 wins, 5 losses, 2.73 ERA). Neile earned a victory with 5 scoreless innings in an away game against Kiwoom on the 13th, showcasing a much-needed solid outing on the road after a long time. This year, he has shown strong performance at home against LG but struggled on the road, and the next game is likely to be no different. After overwhelming LG’s pitching staff with 14 runs, including 3 home runs, in the previous game, KIA’s batting lineup appears frighteningly powerful. Kim Do-young, who hit a decisive grand slam, seems to have found his rhythm after achieving a 30-30 season. The bullpen, which allowed 3 runs over 4 innings, seems to require an upgrade in their setup.
In the previous game, KIA's hitting was truly explosive. However, considering they struggled early against Son Joo-young, it may not be easy for them to hit against Enns. While Neile did perform well in his last start, he tends to get shaken when playing at Jamsil Stadium, and LG is no longer in second place. With a leading performance from the starters, LG appears closer to victory.
Expected score: 6-5 LG win
Win-Loss: 1-1
Handicap: KIA victory
Over/Under: Over