The Samsung Lions traditionally get stronger in the summer.
Playing in Daegu, a city known for its heat, Samsung’s players are more accustomed to the heat and better able to manage their physical fitness than other teams.
In the 2023 season, which ended in eighth place in the final standings, Samsung still managed to win 21 games in 40 matches played from July to August.
This year, the team has picked up momentum as the heat has arrived early.
Their record in 20 games played since June is 13-7, tops among the 10 clubs.
Samsung is expected to get even stronger. That’s because a number of injured players have returned or are on the verge of returning.
Veteran starting pitcher Baek Jung-hyun made his return after a three-month absence, pitching five innings of three-run ball in the second game of a doubleheader against the Doosan Bears on April 23.
Baek was designated for assignment for the doubleheader and was removed on the 24th and will be back in the lineup for his next start.
On the 25th, key bullpen arm Lim Chang-min, who had been sidelined with back pain, joined the first team roster.
Samsung has a deep bullpen with Oh Seung-hwan, Kim Jae-yoon, Kim Tae-hoon and right-hander Lee Seung-hyun, but the addition of Lim gives them more options.
Samsung manager Park Jin-man was all smiles ahead of the team’s upcoming game against the visiting LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on May 25.
“Im will be used in the winning group,” Park said, “and depending on the situation, we are considering him as a set-up man (in the eighth inning) with Kim Jae-yoon. It’s easier to manage the stamina of both players (who are not too old).”
Samsung has more support. Ryu Ji-hyuk, the main infielder who was sidelined with a side injury, will soon return.
“Ryu Ji-hyuk did technical training with the reserve team last week and joined the second team today,” said Park Jin-man. “We plan to bring him up to the first team in the first half of the season after he plays a few games in the Futures League.”
The Lion Legion was categorized as one of the lowest-ranked teams in the league heading into the start of the season, but they have been on a terrifying run up the table.
Recently, the team has won five straight games to pull within two games of first-place KIA Tigers.
It was Samsung’s fourth five-game winning streak of the season, and a win against LG on Sept. 25 will give the team its sixth consecutive victory in eight years and nine months since Sept. 17-24, 2015. 사설토토사이트