Average ERA of 5.94, shaky domestic selection
NC was scheduled to have a five-start rotation this season, which will include Pedy, Widener, Koo Chang-mo, Shin Min-hyuk and Song Myeong-ki.
In the demonstration game, Peddy and메이저사이트 Widener played their part faithfully. With an average ERA of 1.29 without a win or loss in two games, Peddy is even mentioned as a starter for the opening game. Widener’s average ERA of 3.86 with 1 loss in 2 games left much to be desired compared to Peddy, but he showed a good pitch with 2 runs in 4 innings against Kiwoom on the 21st, his recent appearance.
The problem is the domestic starting pitchers. The combined performance of Koo Chang-mo, Shin Min-hyuk, and Song Myung-ki, who entered the starting rotation, was 16.2 innings and 11 runs (11 ERA), and the average ERA was sluggish at 5.94.
First of all, the native ace Gu Chang-mo, who failed to show his skills in the WBC, was not good in his first appearance in the exhibition match. In an exhibition game against Kiwoom on the 20th, he suffered the loss by recording 3 runs (3 earned) in 3.1 innings, 4 hits, 2 walks, 1 strikeout.
Gu Chang-mo’s average ERA in the demonstration game was 8.10. To make matters worse, compared to Woojin Ahn, who was Kiwoom’s starter, showed off a perfect pitch with 4 scoreless innings, it was disastrous.
4th starter Shin Min-hyeok also performed sluggishly with an average ERA of 7.11 without winning or losing in two demonstration games. The same goes for details. In the first appearance, against Doosan on the 15th, 2.1 innings, 4 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, 2 runs (2 earned), and in the recent appearance, against Lotte on the 24th, 4 innings, 3 hits (1 home run), 2 runs, 0 strikeouts, 3 runs (3 earned). There was no sense of stability to be found.
Song Myung-ki, the 5th starter, recorded an average ERA of 3.86 in 2 matches and 1 loss in the demonstration game. Compared to Koo Chang-mo and Shin Min-hyuk, it can be seen as a little better. However, Song Myung-ki showed a pitch with ups and downs in detail.
In his first appearance against Doosan on the 16th, he pitched 3 innings, 2 hits, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts, and no runs. However, in the recent game against Lotte on the 24th, he showed a struggle with 3 hits (1 home run), 1 walk, 4 strikeouts and 3 runs (3 earned) in 4 innings.
The 5th starting rotation was packed, but if this situation continues, manager Kang In-kwon’s worries will inevitably deepen. In the remaining demonstration games, native starters should show a rebound. Meanwhile, NC will hold a schedule for two consecutive exhibition games against KIA in Gwangju.