Chances are high that Won Tae-in (24) of the Samsung Lions will win the title for the first time since his debut in this season. As of Sunday, Won has recorded 15 wins and six losses and an earned run average of 3.66 in 28 games. He is the lone top scorer in the league in terms of multiple wins.
With seven games to go and three games to go in the regular season, Won Tae-in is almost certain to win the most games. Even if Kwak Bin of the Doosan Bears, who is ranking second, has one win for the rest of the season, he is tied for first place with Won Tae-in.안전놀이터
Won also achieved the record of 15 wins among Korean players of Samsung, which had lost its reputation. The latest record was 17 wins (eight losses) set by Yoon Sung-hwan (retired) in 2019.
Won Tae-in had 14 wins (seven losses) in 2021 and achieved double-digit wins in three seasons after his debut in the first division. He also had 10 wins (eight losses) in the 2022 season, winning 10 games in two consecutive seasons, but failed to continue his double-digit winning streak last year.
Won set a record twice the number of wins he won last year. The result came after he participated in three international competitions last year: the World Baseball Classic, the Asian Games, and the Asian Professional Baseball Championship.
This is because he has literally gained experience since his debut in 2019. In a recent interview, Won said, “He seems to feel something while running the game on the mound.”
The first inning is the most difficult time for the starting pitchers. If you don’t finish the first inning well, it will be difficult to lead the innings afterward.
Won also has the highest hit rate in the first inning. The hit rate in the first inning is 0.296, which is more difficult than in other innings.
“I gave him a lot of points at the beginning of the game. But after leading the game to the sixth inning and hitting a complete game, I realized that I am not going to collapse on my own,” he said.
On Aug. 2, Won had his first complete game since his debut in a match against SSG. He allowed three runs in the first inning and continued through the ninth inning on the day. He was dragged 2-3 all the time, but allowed two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to come from behind, and Won was able to win a complete game. He lost a point in the early days of the game, but he kept the mound until the end.
The advice of the main catcher Kang Min-ho, whom Won believes the most, was also helpful. “Even if Kang Min-ho gives three runs in the first inning, the ace is the one who drags him through the sixth to seventh innings, and if he puts it down and collapses further, he does not look like a starting pitcher,” Won said, explaining his advice instead. “Even if a starting pitcher gives a point, it is a starting pitcher who drags him through the sixth inning or more.”
“So I don’t think I put it down whether I give 3 points or 4 points in the first inning,” he said. “If I drag this, I think I can turn it upside down, I think it will be a game.”
I believe in the team’s batting lineup, which ranks first in home runs. Samsung ranks first in this category overwhelmingly with 180 home runs. “Our team has a lot of home runs, so you never know when they’ll burst. I think it’s good that I try not to be swayed a little bit,” Won said.
Thanks to Won Tae-in, who kept the mound intact, Samsung has confirmed its postseason again for the first time in three years. Fans’ expectations are high on Won’s stellar performance in the fall baseball league as well.