The Analysis of Experts on the Korean Series

“Game 4 will be the beginning of a turnaround.”

Baseball experts agreed that Game 4, in which Hyundai defeated SK by a whopping score of 9-3, is likely to be the beginning of a turnaround in the Korean Series. This is because during Game 4, the hitters of Hyundai seemed more able to adapt to the pitchers of SK as well as Hyundai’s manager Kim Jae-bak being able to adapt to SK’s Cho Bum-hyun’s managing style. Therefore, most experts predicted the odds for the other three games will be on Hyundai’s side.

Kim Sung-kuen, former manager of LG: Until Game 3, the series had been dominated by SK’s analytic insights, but Hyundai seemed to overcome and adapt to that in Game 4. I thought SK, having the lead with 2 wins and 1 loss, had an equal chance to be the champion, but now with the series tied at 2 wins apiece, Hyundai is in a more advantageous position because it has more superior starting pitchers. Kim Won-hyung’s curve lost its movement. It seemed that he was in pain due to his shoulder. I think SK focused on Game 5 more than on Game 4.

Ha Il-sung, the baseball commentator of KBS-TV: SK should have won at least one game out of Games 1 and 4, in which Jung Min-tae pitched. As the series continues, the difference in the strengths will loom large, therefore the odds are favorable for Hyundai. In baseball games, there are the runs which are scored first, additional runs, and game-ending runs. SK made a critical mistake by failing to get the additional runs. On the other hand, Hyundai’s weak point is its unstable defense.

Park Roh-jun, the baseball commentator of SBS-TV: From Game 4, Hyundai’s hitters got the feeling of how to hit SK pitchers. You can see they were not fooled by the enticing balls falling out of the strike zone. It’s lamentable that SK has no other ace pitchers such as Jung Min-tae, and the team seems to have difficulties because it played too many games in the post-season. The main variable is the cold weather. The cold weather is the strong team’s sore spot.

Koo Kyung-baek, the baseball commentator of Kyungin Broadcasting Company: It was SK’s deadly mistake that it gave away Game 4 to Hyundai too easily. Before that game, all things had progressed smoothly according to the managers’ intention, but in Game 4, things got out of reach. It seems the regular tactics will be better than the irregular ones. The results of the other three games will depend upon the ability to concentrate.

Chang Gun-hee, the baseball commentator of KBS-Radio: SK’s Kim Won-hyung seems to have pain in his shoulder. In general, Hyundai’s hitters’ batting styles are designed to move the center of gravity from behind to the front, and the weaknesses of this style are the falling curve balls. It’s the reason why Kim Won-hyung could show his strength to Hyundai’s hitters with his falling curve balls, but now the “Kim Won-hyung merits” are gone.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com