Lions Manager Addresses Fatigue Ahead of Game 3
DAEGU — Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man stated Friday in Daegu that he was not concerned about player fatigue as his team prepared for Game 3 of the Korean Series against the KT Wiz.
The Lions had played seven postseason games in a 10-day span starting in the final week of October. They split the first two games on the road, including a 12-inning win over the Kia Tigers in Game 2.
Park said that victory lifted the team’s spirits and noted that winning two of the next three home games would put Samsung in a strong position for the series.
He also defended starting catcher Kang Min-ho, who is playing through an oblique injury. Park stated that the 41-year-old continues to provide a steady presence behind the plate despite struggling at the bat.
Park addressed the challenge of facing KT Wiz closer Park Yeong-hyun, who had allowed no runs in two appearances covering 3 1/3 innings. He expressed confidence that the Lions would eventually get hits against the reliever, noting that the key was to score before he entered the game.
Paddack Prepares for Short Rest Start
Samsung Lions starter Chris Paddack said he was ready to "sacrifice his body" for the chance to pitch in Game 2 of the Korean Series against the KT Wiz.
Paddack, scheduled to start on four days' rest after pitching in Game 4 of the previous round on three days' rest, told Yonhap News Agency he felt good and had prepared mentally and physically for the outing.
The American pitcher faces a KT Wiz offense that has shown significant power. Paddack noted that KT Wiz slugger Sam Hilliard, who led the KBO with 139 RBIs and finished second with 44 home runs in the regular season, went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored in Tuesday's opener.
Despite the threat posed by Hilliard and the rest of the lineup, Paddack said having defeated one of the league's top offenses, the Kia Tigers, should provide momentum for the series against KT.