*This content was translated by AI.
Over 37 games since the day the nightmare 13-game losing streak began, SSG Landers' record stood at 8 wins, 28 losses, and 1 tie, with a win percentage of just 0.222. During this period, the team plummeted from 4th place to 9th. The gap to the last-place team has now become within reach.
On the 30th of last month, SSG suffered a heavy 3-10 defeat against the KIA Tigers in a visiting game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.
After playing 78 games, SSG currently holds a record of 30 wins, 46 losses, and 2 ties, trailing the last-place Kiwoom Heroes (28 wins, 51 losses, 1 tie) by 3.5 games. Their win percentage of 0.395 has also fallen below the 40th% mark.
The starting rotation collapsed once again. During the five-game losing streak, there was no quality start (6 innings or more, 3 earned runs or fewer) from the starters. Even looking at the quality start, considered the minimum responsibility for a starter to secure a win, it is clear at a glance why SSG is struggling.
SSG recorded only 9 quality starts as a team. This ranks them 7th overall, behind Ariel Jurado of the Samsung Lions (12 starts), who leads the league. Even compared to Kiwoom, which sits directly above SSG with 19 quality starts, SSG's total is less than half.
Starting pitcher Kim Geon-woo, who served as the ace early in the season, allowed 10 hits (including 2 home runs), issued 2 walks, recorded 4 strikeouts, and gave up 7 earned runs over 3⅔ innings, resulting in a loss. Individually, he has been on a four-game losing streak since the 5th of last month.
This is not just a problem with Kim Geon-woo. Since the day the 13th-game losing streak began, SSG's 8 wins included only 4 wins by the starting pitcher. During the recent five-game losing streak, the starters repeatedly collapsed. The most hopeful performance was Thomas Hatch's outing on the 26th of last month against the Hanwha Eagles, where he pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 earned runs.
On the 1st, SSG must face Yang Hyeon-jong (38), who recorded his 191st career win in the KBO League, making him the all-time leader in wins among active players. Although he struggled somewhat last year, he has demonstrated his strength this season, consistently pitching 5 innings or more and showing stability. This is exactly what SSG needs.
In that regard, expectations are high for SSG's starting pitcher on this day. Kim Min-jun (20), who was selected in the first round of the rookie draft with high expectations, will take the mound as the starter.
Kim Min-jun, who earned the reputation of "not acting like a rookie" by securing a spot in the starting rotation, suffered an injury ahead of the season opener, delaying his debut. After making his debut on the 9th of last month, he smiled manager Lee Sung-yong with a 4⅓-inning, 2-earned-run performance against the Lotte Giants on the 16th.
He then secured his first career win in the KT Wiz game on the 24th. He threw 87 pitches over 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, issuing 2 walks, recording 4 strikeouts, and giving up only 1 earned run in a strong performance. Since then, SSG has been on a five-game losing streak.
While this may be a burden for a rookie, he must act as a losing streak stopper. Aside from the performances of Kim Min-jun and Hatch, it is difficult to expect a rebound from the SSG starting rotation, let alone a leap for the team. The burden on Kim Min-jun's shoulders, who must become the ace in the future, is heavy.
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*This content was translated by AI.
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