Landers manager asks relievers to keep doing their things
SSG Landers manager Lee Sung-yong speaks at a press conference before Game 2 of the first-round series in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason against the Samsung Lions at Incheon SSG Landers Field, Oct. 10. Yonhap
DAEGU — With his lockdown bullpen having submitted two strong postseason games so far, SSG Landers manager Lee Sung-yong has a simple message for his relief corps: keep calm and keep doing your things.
If those relievers heed Lee's words, then the Landers will have a great chance of knocking off the Samsung Lions in their first-round series in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason.
"I always tell my relievers never to try to do too much," Lee said Monday before Game 3 of the best-of-five showdown at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu. The series is knotted at 1-1.
"If our relievers can stay composed and do what they did during the regular season, I think they can absolutely dominate the opposing hitters," Lee added. "So I hope they will just stay relaxed and do what they have done all year."
The Landers posted the best bullpen ERA in the regular season at 3.36, and their relievers also struck out more batters than any other bullpen with 502. Opposing teams only had an on-base plus slugging of .669, also tops in the KBO.
So far this series, their trio of high-leverage setup men, Noh Kyung-eun, Kim Min and Lee Ro-un, have not given up any run in 7 2/3 innings.
Closer Jo Byeong-hyeon, on the other hand, blew a save in Game 2 on Saturday, when he allowed a tying run in the top of the ninth inning. His teammates bailed him out by scoring the winning run in the bottom ninth for a 4-3 victory that evened the series at one game apiece.
Lee said he had zero concerns about Jo's ability to bounce back.
"I asked him earlier today if he had a good night's sleep. He told me yes, and I said I knew he would," Lee said with a smile. "I told him to stay ready because I will use him in a save situation again. As long as I've known him, he's always had great mental fortitude."