"Seven innings with three runs allowed is less important than five scoreless innings": A loss would be fatal, and last year's "three losses alone" became a lesson... The expectations Samsung places on Huarado [PO4]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Five scoreless innings are more important than seven innings with three runs allowed."

Ahead of Game 2, Samsung Lions Manager Park Jin-man (50) emphasized the importance of cautious pitching to achieve a scoreless outing as a key requirement for starting pitcher Ariel Huarado (30).

This point resonated even more strongly given that Samsung had managed only one run in Game 1. However, Huarado started Game 2 and pitched 6⅔ innings, throwing 108 pitches to allow five hits, two walks, record three strikeouts, and give up two runs, earning the win.

Consistency is Huarado's greatest weapon. Despite missing 63 days due to injury, he pitched 150 innings in 24 games, recording 17 quality starts (six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs) to rank fifth. He ranked first in both 2024 and 2025 (with 23 quality starts each). In both seasons, he pitched over 190 innings.

Protecting long outings with a minimum of runs allowed has become the basic expectation for Huarado. This translated into outstanding records: 10 wins and 8 losses in 2024, 15 wins and 8 losses in 2025, and 9 wins and 3 losses this year. His winning percentage this season was .750, placing him second overall.

The problem was the postseason. Last year, in the Wild Card Series, he pitched 6⅔ innings but gave up four runs to take the loss. After taking the loss as a relief pitcher in Game 3 of the Junior Playoffs by allowing a home run, he shut down the opponent with seven scoreless innings and nine strikeouts when he returned to the starting rotation in Game 5, securing a victory for his team.

However, things were different in Game 3 of the Playoffs against the Hanwha Eagles. He pitched seven innings again but allowed nine hits (including one home run) and five runs to take the loss. With a series record of two wins and three losses, Samsung ultimately failed to advance to the Korea Series.

After losing Game 1, they turned to Huarado as their starting pitcher for Game 2. Manager Park Jin-man stated, "(The opponent) knows well that Huarado pitches aggressively," adding, "It is more important to go for a minimum of runs allowed in five innings than to pitch long innings. The analytics team likely discussed this aspect. Five scoreless innings are more important than seven innings with three runs allowed."

In Game 2, Huarado delivered an outstanding performance against the hot-hitting KIA lineup. While pitching aggressively, he also showed the ability to avoid trouble in crucial moments. Ultimately, he did not allow a home run, and hits were scattered. He gave up one more run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning, but had shut down the KIA lineup with just one run allowed through the sixth.

This time, he takes the mound in an even more critical situation. It is a game where there is no room for retreat. Huarado has completely shaken off last year's regrets in Game 2.

The offense also failed to capitalize on opportunities as well in Game 4 compared to Games 2 and 3. This creates a situation where Huarado must pay even more attention to minimizing runs allowed. Furthermore, Samsung currently boasts reliable scoreless relievers in Kim Tae-hoon (2⅔ innings), Miyamori Satoshi (1⅔ innings), and Lee Jae-hee (2⅓ innings). The most dependable Lee Seung-min (4⅓ innings, one run allowed) and Bae Chan-seung (three innings, one run allowed) are also delivering excellent pitching. As Manager Park Jin-man said, it has become more important to hold the line for five innings without allowing runs and hand the ball to the bullpen, rather than pitching seven innings with three runs allowed.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original