The instinct of the beast is creating a scary wind.
The KBO League ranking battle is nearing its end, and the core of the typhoon is the KIA Tigers. With their recent eight-game winning streak, they have crossed the Maginot Line of the top five and have become a threat to the top teams. It stood out not only in terms of results but also in terms of process. KBO League’s most wins leader Eric Peddie (NC Dinos), national team ace Ko Young-pyo (KT Wiz), and Rookie of the Year candidate Moon Dong-ju (Hanwha Eagles) all became sacrifices. The unstoppable cohesion of the batting line and even the concentration of the bullpen are slowly loosening. It’s literally a storm. Even among the players gathered in the KIA dugout, their laughter and composure are easily captured, even though they are inferior by 1 to 2 points.메이저사이트
However, even in this atmosphere, KIA coach Kim Jong-guk is uneasy. Coach Kim said bluntly, “I always say this, but the rankings in September have no meaning. We need to accumulate as many wins as possible while we can win.”
KIA ranked 4th as of the 4th. However, the winning percentage is the same as 5th place NC. NC benefited from playing two more games. Depending on the result of the first game, positions with NC can be switched at any time. They are 1.5 games behind SSG Landers, who are in third place and are currently on a 4-game losing streak, but the streak of wins and losses could change at any time. KIA has 36 games remaining, the most among the 10 teams, but the tight schedule may lead to fatigue and decreased performance. It is also burdensome that most of the remaining games will be against teams competing at the top or in the rankings, such as LG Twins (6 games), KT (7 games), SSG (3 games), NC (4 games), and Doosan Bears (5 games). It’s a nice part. Director Kim is also quite conscious of this.
So, at what point does KIA see the crossroads? Coach Kim said, “Personally, I think the battle for rankings will continue even during the Asian Games. It will likely be decided soon after the remaining games (in October and below). I don’t think it will be decided until then.”
The upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games are an important variable in the ranking battle. Most of the players under the age of 24 and selected as wild cards are starting players or key resources for each team. KIA is also missing three starting players, including starter Lee Ui-ri, left-hander Choi Ji-min, and outfielder Choi Won-jun. In a difficult schedule, breathtaking situations can unfold even until the end. This is why KIA, which is on a winning streak, has no choice but to show more teeth instead of smiling.