Nothing was more important than 倫 Yoo Young-chan. LG Twins’ strongest closing pitcher Yoo Young-chan (27) will return to the mound just one day after his death.
LG lost 2-3 in the first round of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO postseason semi-playoff against KT Wiz at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 5th.
LG lost its best-of-five semi-playoff match on the day, allowing its first game in the second game. The second semi-playoff match will take place at Jamsil Stadium at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
In the first round of the semi-playoff, LG missed the game without closing pitcher Yoo Young-chan. It was because he was injured by his father on the 3rd. According to LG officials, with a mortuary set up in Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, the seal was strictly observed on the morning of the 5th.
His father was facing deep sorrow, but Yoo Young-chan was thinking about his team. “Yoo Young-chan was born on the day, and he told reporters that he can play if he comes early. However, it is not easy to get up from 4 a.m. to play in the game. It could also have a negative impact on the game until Thursday. It is better to take the rest than possible,” LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop told reporters ahead of the match on Tuesday.
According to an LG official who visited the funeral home, Yoo shed a lot of tears. Coach Yeom also showed his warm thoughts to Yoo, saying, “Don’t worry about the game, but bring your father to a good place.” Thus, Yoo was able to head to Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, where his place is located, with the consideration of the club and the head coach.
Now, Yoo Young-chan can start again from the second round of the semi-playoff today (June 6). LG, which was in a slump after losing in the first round, is in a tight race. With Yoo Young-chan’s return, the use of Elijah Hernandez, who switched the bullpen in the semi-playoff, is expected to increase.
In 62 relief appearances this season, Yoo marked seven wins, five losses, 26 saves and one hold with an earned run average of 2.97. During 63 ⅔ innings, he had 61 hits (two homers), 30 walks, 77 strikeouts, 24 runs (21 earned runs), WHIP (allowing on-base allowed per inning) 1.43 and a batting average of 0.246. Of course, he made six blon saves. In his first year in the U.S., however, he took over as the closing pitcher and brilliantly performed his role as the team’s strongest closing pitcher.
“From the second round of the semi-playoff (when Yoo Young-chan returns), chances are high that Hernandez will definitely join the team after the starting pitcher,” Yeom said. “I see that as the most important point to replace the pitcher,” adding, “We can put Yoo Young-chan in the team quickly after Kim Jin-sung. Hernandez is the strongest card in the bullpen right now, followed by Yoo Young-chan and Kim Jin-sung. The key is whether (Ham) Deok-ju will be included in this team.” 안전놀이터
LG lost the first game in the Korean Series last year, but won the championship by losing four games in the second game. He is dreaming the same trend again this time. The return of Yoo Young-chan is the starting point. LG will have Lim Chan-kyu as the starting member in the second semi-playoff game. Lim Chan-kyu has been strong against KT this year with three wins, no loss, and an earned run average (six earned runs) in four games. During 20 innings, he had 19 hits (three homers), 14 walks, and allowed 23 strikeouts and six runs (three earned runs). His batting average was 0.257. “Im Chan-kyu has the best ERA against KT. He will play in that order. Hernandez will prepare for the second game because he threw fewer than 30 balls,” coach Yeom said, signaling a full-blown war. Will LG be able to rebound from the second game.
