When facing only Samsung and KT, it's like an 'ERA in the 1st-point range,' yet he's considering contract renewal? LG foreign pitcher: 5-game ERA of 1.48 ahead of autumn playoffs, back in ace mode

*This content was translated by AI.

Should he consider contract renewal? Or should he be firmly retained with autumn playoffs in mind? LG Twins foreign pitcher Anders Tollhurst (27) left a powerful impression as the season neared its end. This is especially significant given his particularly strong performance against KT Wiz and Samsung Lions, teams he is likely to face during the postseason.

On the 18th, Tollhurst started in the visiting game at SuwonKT Wiz Park against the 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League KT Wiz, pitching six innings while allowing five hits (one home run), one hit by pitch, and striking out seven batters with just one earned run. He led LG to a decisive 12-1 victory, securing his 12th win of the season (with nine losses).

That day, Tollhurst threw 96 pitches in total, featuring 42 four-seam fastballs clocked up to 151 km/h, 21 cutters, 22 forkballs, and 11 curveballs. Although he allowed baserunners in every inning, he remained steady throughout. He delivered decisive pitches at critical moments. In the first inning, he struck out Kim Min-hyeok with just three pitches via a swing-and-miss strikeout, and he fanned Sam Hilliard by throwing an accurately placed forkball on the outside-low corner.

Throughout the game, Tollhurst disrupted KT's timing using a combination of four-seam fastballs and forkballs. After the game, Tollhurst said, "It was an important game, and I threw my best." He added, "Thanks to my teammates' support in offense, we were able to handle the game smoothly."

His preparation against KT, whom he faced again after a month, remained unchanged. Tollhurst explained, "Before the game, I entered with a plan similar to our previous matchup against KT. Especially today, my splitter command was excellent, which confused the opposing batters."

The only regret was the seventh inning. Tollhurst had held KT scoreless through six innings and took the mound again in the seventh. However, leadoff hitter Kim Hyun-soo engaged in a prolonged battle, eventually driving a high inside pitch over the center-field fence. It was his 11th home run of the season, traveling 125.3 meters.

Tollhurst left the mound without recording an out in that inning. His final line was six innings with one earned run. He reflected, "I felt some regret when I came off in the seventh, but the high pitch count made it impossible to continue."

Still, his recent form has clearly improved. Through this game, Tollhurst's season stats stand at 26 games, 12 wins, 9 losses, and an ERA of 4.08. Over 145⅔ innings, he recorded 119 strikeouts, with a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.22 and a batting average against of 0.257.

Looking at the entire season, it would be difficult to call him an overwhelming foreign ace. Especially from June through August, his monthly ERA remained in the 5th-point range, casting doubt on whether he should be re-signed.

However, the mood has completely shifted toward the end of the season. Since the the 19th game against KT at Jamsil Stadium, Tollhurst's ERA over his last five games is 1.48. He is raising his performance at the most critical moment ahead of autumn playoffs.

What stands out even more is his record against specific opponents. This season, Tollhurst has gone 3 games, 2 wins, 1 loss with an ERA of 2.37 against KT. Against Samsung, he appeared in as many as six games, posting a 3-1 record with an ERA of 1.57, showing even greater dominance.

The fact that LG is competing for standings at the end of the season and has posted overwhelming results against two teams they are highly likely to face again in autumn playoffs cannot be taken lightly.

The gap between Tollhurst's overall season ERA of 4.08 and his ERA against Samsung and KT is significant. If only considering his summer performance, there was no choice but to question whether he should be re-signed. However, with autumn playoffs approaching, the narrative has shifted somewhat. Tollhurst smiled, saying, "Nothing has changed particularly recently. It seems my improving condition is showing on the mound."

And LG is now proving that improved condition against two teams they are most likely to face at the most critical moments. The summer that made them consider contract renewal is behind them. At least in front of Samsung and KT, Tollhurst remains a reliable card for LG.

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*This content was translated by AI.