The Korean Baseball Organization’s top three, led by LG-SSG-Lotte, is becoming increasingly clear.
The weekly games in the final week of May in the 2023 KBO League were characterised by strong performances from the top teams, which further widened the gap between them and the teams below them, while the bottom two teams, ninth-ranked Hanwha and 10th-ranked KT, rebounded with weekly winning percentages of more than 5 per cent.
First place LG has maintained its lead since the 20th with four wins and two losses. Their season record stands at 30 wins, 1 draw and 16 losses (0.652 winning percentage), with a win-loss margin of over +14 already.
After a 2-1 win in the midweek three-game series against SSG in Munhak, which was also called the Korean Series in the preview, the team wrapped up a successful six-game road trip with a 2-1 win in the three-game series against KIA in Gwangju over the weekend.메이저사이트
Looking at LG’s weekly matches, there are some games that were lost due to poor execution, such as the KIA game on the 27th, but most of them are characterised by a good process of ‘hitting well and blocking well’. Gradually moving towards full strength, LG is dominating with 15 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses in May with a winning percentage of 0.750.
Second-placed SSG, despite their disappointment, managed to maintain a one-game lead over LG. With a season record of 28 wins, 1 draw and 16 losses (0.636 winning percentage), they are one game behind LG in second place.
Their biggest disappointment came in the midweek home three-game series against LG, where they only won one and lost two. SSG, who were also in a close race with LG for the title in the regular season last year, have struggled this season, going 2-4 against them.
For SSG, it will be even more important to bounce back against LG as they have a 3-1 record against Lotte, who are also in the running for the title. As a result, these results are even more important as the field of championship contenders is gradually narrowing down to three teams in the top three.
SSG will also be disappointed with the sky. The team’s 14-3 victory over Doosan in Jamsil on the 26th was a huge boost, but the rain that poured down on the Seoul metropolitan area on the 27th and 28th resulted in rain cancellations on both days.
Third-placed Lotte also had a successful week with four wins and two losses. With a season record of 26 wins and 16 losses (0.619 winning percentage), Lotte is on its way to becoming a full-fledged ‘winning team’ by maintaining a win-loss margin of more than +10. They are third in the standings, two games behind first-place LG and one game behind second-place SSG.
Lotte won both the midweek ‘Nakdong River Derby’ against NC in Sajik and the weekend away series against Kiwoom in Gochuk, recording two wins and one loss.
The only disappointing result came against Kiwoom on the 28th, when the bullpen, which had been one of the strongest this season, gave up a walk-off home run. However, it’s encouraging to see that aside from that game, the team is gradually settling into a two-hit rhythm and producing easy wins.
In fact, Lotte was tied with LG for the most harmonious two-hitter last week. For the week, their team ERA was third in the league at 2.72, their team batting average was first at 0.293, and their OPS was second at 0.725.
With better offensive and defensive cohesion, there is a good chance that Rodeigi, who are currently showing strong team colours and late-game stability, can continue their current good form. Lotte is gradually shaking off doubters and establishing itself as a stable powerhouse.
The current top three has been set for over a month now. At the beginning of the season, SSG was dominant and consistently battling for the lead with LG, but after Lotte moved up to third place on the 26th of last month, three teams have been battling for the top three spots. LG continues to hold on to the lead and has been chipping away at it, but second-place SSG and third-place Lotte are not slowing down.
De are not slowing down either.
Which of the three teams will take the lead, and what kind of ranking changes and head-to-head results will occur? Baseball fans will be increasingly interested in watching the fierce competition between LG, SSG, and Lotte.