"I am always an easy target," yet the fall KIA Tigers desperately need Lee Yi-ri, trusting in the data of a 'batting average against left-handed hitters of 0.221' [Daegu on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A player whose performance gap between good and bad days is starkly wide. This has been the assessment that has followed Lee Yi-ri (24, KIA Tigers) since his debut. It is also why he faced only one batter in the Junior Playoffs, but against the Samsung Lions, Lee Yi-ri is needed even more.

KIA will play the first game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Junior Playoffs (best-of-five series) against Samsung at Daegu Samsung Lions Park starting at 6:30 p.m. on the 26th.

The game originally scheduled for the 25th was canceled due to rain, making this the first contest of the series. KIA had also smiled in the Korean Series two years ago when rain delayed games. This time as well, with the schedule pushed back by a day, the bullpen gained an extra day of rest, allowing the KIA team that advanced through the Junior Playoffs to smile even more.

Lee Yi-ri is also preparing to take the mound. Drafted as the first overall pick in 2021 and debuting with KIA, Lee Yi-ri won Rookie of the Year and followed up with double-digit win totals for two consecutive seasons. However, he underwent elbow surgery due to injury the following year. He returned in May 2025 but left a lingering regret as he struggled with control issues.

This season, he had to adapt to a new role. Starting as a starter, he suffered severe struggles and eventually went on a training stint in Japan last June to focus on stabilizing his control.

He quickly adapted to the unfamiliar bullpen role and took over as the closer in August, posting a record of 0 wins, 1 loss, and 4 saves with an ERA of 3.86 in eight games. In seven innings, he issued only two walks.

However, his control wavered again in September, resulting in a record of 2 losses and 2 saves with an ERA of 4.50. He recorded 15 strikeouts over 10 innings but also issued 15 walks. In four games in October, he allowed runs while posting 1 win and 1 hold, though control remained a concern.

In the third game of the Junior Playoffs, with his team leading 10-1 and two outs and bases loaded, Lee Yi-ri took the mound for the first time in the postseason to face left-handed hitter Park Hae-min. After establishing a favorable count with aggressive pitching, Lee Yi-ri induced an infield grounder to first base on a deep slider to the body after nine pitches, securing his team's victory.

Meeting reporters after the first game was canceled due to rain on the 25th, Lee Yi-ri reflected on the Junior Playoffs, saying, "It was fun. I think because I prepared well, I wasn't very nervous and enjoyed it."

However, Lee Yi-ri did not take the mound in Games 1 and 2, which were tightly contested. It is a cold reality. In a situation where a single mistake could lead to defeat, there were indeed shortcomings that made it difficult to entrust him with the game. This is why harsh criticism has not ceased among fans or within the baseball community.

Lee Yi-ri is well aware of this. He explained, "I think I am always an easy target. It's because of my fast ball and somewhat lacking control." He offered a self-deprecating response to the constant commentary asking why he pitches so difficultly despite having good stuff.

Ultimately, this is a challenge Lee Yi-ri must overcome to survive. After his training stint in Japan, he had shown clear results in July and August.

Reflecting on this season, Lee Yi-ri said, "I pitched well at times and poorly at others. I don't stress too much about it; I feel that it is not yet fully my own. If I can become clearer in that aspect, I think I will be able to show a different performance."

This is not about next year; it is what Lee Yi-ri must accomplish immediately in the Playoffs. In particular, Samsung has top-tier players all lined up at the left-handed batter's box, including batting champion Koo Ja-yuk, Choi Hyeong-woo, Lewin Diaz, and Kim Ji-chan. Lee Yi-ri's batting average against left-handed hitters is only 0.221, showing a significant difference compared to his 0.290 against right-handed hitters.

Especially because Daegu Samsung Lions Park is a venue where many home runs are hit, a pitcher who can overpower opposing batters with power is needed, and Lee Yi-ri is the pitcher who best fits this requirement. In five games against Samsung, he pitched 8⅓ innings, recording 1 loss, 1 save, and 2 holds with an ERA of 3.24, a significantly outstanding performance compared to his season stats, which builds expectations.

Although Kwak Do-gyu is the top option among left-handed relievers, given the abundance of left-handed hitters on Samsung's lineup, Lee Yi-ri must also be prepared to enter at any time. If KIA cannot shut down Samsung's left-handed hitters, they cannot aim for higher goals.

Even as early as this season, it was hard to imagine him entering the postseason from the bullpen. Lee Yi-ri said, "I first thought about being helpful to the team. I had forgotten too much." He added, "I ended up becoming the closer, but I hadn't thought about the postseason. Without thinking deeply, I just decided to do my best in the position I was in, and that is how I got here."

He started as a starter and even went on a training stint in Japan during the season. He attempted many changes and eventually transitioned to the bullpen. Lee Yi-ri expressed his determination, saying, "I think I had so many good experiences this year, and through these experiences, I feel I have grown a lot, which is fulfilling." He continued, "In the Playoffs, and perhaps later as well, I can be helpful to the team from the bullpen, so starting with the Playoffs, I want to show many good performances."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original