After cliffhanger, KT’s ‘destiny’ rests on Cuevas’ shoulders for Game 4
It’s still a cliffhanger, but they’ve taken a breather, and now, like two years ago, they can only look to Cuevas.
The KT Wiz swept the NC Dinos in Game 3 of the playoffs at Changwon NC Park on April 2 to even the series at 2-2.
The win snapped NC’s six-game single-season postseason winning streak and nine-game fall baseball winning streak. NC matched the Hattae Tigers (1987-1988, nine consecutive postseason wins), but the “new history” will have to wait for another time.
Cuevas will now start Game 4 for KT. He had his worst outing of the season in Game 1, giving up seven runs in three innings, and will be looking to put that behind him.
In the regular season,
He would have to be shut down or sent to the DL, but this is a game that could decide the team’s fate for the year. It is the ace’s destiny to take charge.
He was pitching after three days of rest, so his recovery is not complete. However, before the series, 먹튀검증토토사이트 Lee Kang-cheol said, “If it’s a close game, the fourth game will be Cuevas.
Uhm Sang-baek’s batting average wasn’t as high as expected, making it difficult to use the planned 1+1 tandem. In the end, Cuevas overcame the pressure and the bullpen went all out. It’s a good thing that Cuevas only threw 75 pitches in Game 1, as he was replaced early.
KT will be hoping for a repeat of Cuevas’ miracle in 2021. After throwing 108 pitches in the second game of the doubleheader against NC on October 28, Cuevas started the first-place game against the Samsung Lions on October 31 after just two days of rest, throwing 99 pitches over seven innings with eight strikeouts and no runs allowed.
In particular, his roar in the bottom of the seventh inning after he struck out the side with a 148-kilometer fastball is deeply etched in the hearts of KT fans. It was a decisive moment that led to KT’s first championship in 2021.
For the NC,
Song Myung-ki will start as scheduled. Song made his last start in the second round of the semifinals against the SSG Landers, giving up two runs on three hits (one home run) and five walks in three innings.
He has been a bit of a disappointment this season, bouncing back and forth between the bullpen. In 35 total appearances (17 starts), he has a 4-9 record with a 4.83 ERA, a slight drop from last year.
Against KT, he didn’t fare much better, going 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA in three games (two starts). First start of the playoffs. NC desperately needs Song to turn things around.