Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 353

#352. The Ace

– Hey, what’s up?

“Just watching TV. What about you? Aren’t you supposed to be preparing for the Korean Series?”

– What are you talking about? Our regular season isn’t even over yet. We have so many rain cancellations that we’re stuck playing until mid-October. Oh, speaking of which, when is that dome stadium opening?

“Why are you asking me that?”

– Who else would I ask but the team owner, you greedy employer?

“Heh, look at this cheeky employee. Anyway, I need to focus on the game, so if you have nothing else to say, hang up and go prepare for your game, Seo Hyeong-ju.”

– Ah, wait, I almost forgot the important thing I called about.

“What is it? Hurry up. The game’s starting.”

– It’s just… if I apply for posting [request to be transferred to a Major League team] next year, will Seattle take me?

“What are you talking about now…? Hey, putting everything else aside, are you confident you can do better than Derek on our team?”

– Ha, what do you take this genius Seo Hyeong-ju for… um, you seem to have forgotten, but I can also play second base if needed…….

“Okay, talk to the general manager or the president about that, not me. I’m hanging up now.”

– Hey, wait, wait! Then I…….

I pressed the end call button and turned off my smartphone completely.

Seo Hyeong-ju’s overseas advancement, huh…….

Well, honestly, I haven’t thought about it in detail, but considering he made it to the major leagues on his own in the past, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible. Besides, he’s clearly a better hitter than he was back then, probably because of my influence.

But considering Derek Fleming, our starting center fielder’s skills and the remaining time on his FA [free agent] contract…….

It’s a bit of a shame to use him as a corner outfielder because his long ball hitting is a bit lacking, so if worst comes to worst, we could consider having him play second base, where we haven’t found a solid starter and have temporarily entrusted it to Liam Landman.

Of course, all of this is for the Warriors and Mariners management to decide, not me. They’re the ones running the team, not me.

“Did your call end, Oppa [term of endearment used by a younger woman to an older man]?”

“Yeah, if you’re done cleaning up, come watch the game with me.”

“Okay, I’m done. Hehe.”

I turned down all the guys who kept suggesting we watch baseball at my place, and Yerin and I quietly sat in front of the TV.

To watch the Wild Card game starting today.

“Who do you think will win, Oppa?”

“Well… I honestly don’t know about the White Sox and the Angels…….”

“Ryu Han-gyul would be disappointed if he heard that.”

“It can’t be helped. Their hitting is too weak. From the moment Lee Chan-ho ended up batting third, it was a disaster.”

“Um, what about Boston and Oakland?”

“Boston.”

“You’re sure about that?”

“It wouldn’t be bad if Oakland came up, but Boston has Jerry Wagner… I can’t imagine that guy being eliminated in the Wild Card series.”

While we were talking, the four American League and National League Wild Card games started almost simultaneously.

Of course, the game we watched was the first game between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park.

Who will be our opponent?

Boston started Rafael Silva instead of their ace, veteran Alex Davis.

I think Jerry Wagner had a say in that. Rafael may still be lacking in experience, but considering Jerry Wagner is the catcher leading him, it might not be a bad choice.

Oakland, facing Boston, started Devin McPherson as expected.

That’s right. That’s the guy who threw a beanball [a pitch deliberately aimed at the batter’s head] at Tai Johnson and got beat up by me.

It’s also noticeable that Desmond King, who missed the remaining regular season games due to the aftereffects of what I did to him back then, is wearing the catcher’s mask today.

One thing is certain.

If those Oakland guys make it to the Division Series, I’m going to beat them so badly that they won’t even be able to look me in the eye again. I think I was too merciful to end it with just a few punches.

– Play!

With the umpire’s signal to start the game, the first game of the Wild Card series between the two teams began.

The early game was, as expected, Boston’s pace.

While Rafael Silva was throwing fastballs and silencing the Oakland lineup, Boston’s top of the order, Jack Rogers, Matt Keough, and Jerry Wagner, easily scored two runs.

But soon, a crisis came.

Rafael Silva, who had been pitching well until the 5th inning, suddenly lost control and allowed the tying run in an instant.

“He’s still young.”

“He’s two years older than you, Oppa?”

“Hmm.”

The flustered Boston bench brought in 5th starter Andy Dixon instead of Rafael, barely holding off Oakland’s offensive onslaught.

Jerry Wagner’s face looks 10 years older after finishing the defense.

“Oppa, Ryu Han-gyul has a shutout through the 7th inning? They’re winning 5-0.”

“Hoo… that hyung [older brother or male friend] is determined.”

While Ryu Han-gyul, who is always stronger in big games, was dominating against the White Sox, the battle between Boston and Oakland continued.

The final winner of the game, which involved a total of 8 pitchers from both teams, was…….

“As expected.”

“Oppa, your prediction was right.”

It was the Boston Red Sox.

Boston’s leadoff hitter, Jack Rogers, who hit a walk-off home run, was jumping up and down with a face that looked like he had everything in the world.

On the other hand, Oakland’s battery [pitcher and catcher], who caught two outs but couldn’t handle the last batter, dropped their heads and left the field.

“Hmm.”

[Four Wild Card games held simultaneously on the same day, American League Boston Red Sox, LA Angels, National League Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs each add 1 win]

[Boston Red Sox VS Oakland Athletics game, Jack Rogers, who hit the walk-off home run, “I’m extremely happy that we won without going to extra innings. Our goal is to win the League Championship and then the World Series.”]

[LA Angels’ Korean pitcher Ryu Han-gyul, who recorded a 9-inning shutout against the Central Division champion White Sox, “Su-hyeok told me he hopes we meet in the Championship. Whatever happens, my role in the Wild Card series is over. I’ll trust my teammates and wait.”]

[Philadelphia Phillies, the National League East Division champions, who won the first game against the San Francisco Giants, celebrate by setting fire to a trash can after the game]

[A day of joy and sorrow in Chicago… White Sox’s complete defeat, and Cubs’ come-from-behind victory, Japanese pitcher Tanaka Yamato, who won the start, when asked if he wants to meet Han Su-hyeok in the World Series, couldn’t say anything]

* * *

“A little late, but congratulations, Ryan.”

“You could have just come empty-handed, but thanks anyway.”

“Damn it, someone hasn’t even gotten married yet, and you’re already pregnant with your second child, as expected of the captain.”

“The way I see it, Bruce, you’re never going to get married or even date in that state.”

“Damn it. Derek, you bastard, get over here?”

The Seattle players, who had finished their simple morning training at the stadium, gathered at captain Ryan Thibodeau’s house.

To belatedly hold the team’s family day event, which had been canceled due to the season schedule, and to watch the Wild Card Game 2 together shortly after.

“Uncle!”

“Um.”

Ryan’s daughter, Riley, ran to Han Su-hyeok, who had entered Ryan’s house, and hugged him.

Han Su-hyeok, who was briefly flustered, lifted the child up with awkward gestures.

“Unnie [older sister or female friend]! Unnie is doing well too, right?”

“Riley.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“Wait, why am I Uncle and Yerin is Unnie?”

“Because Unnie is pretty?”

Well… if that’s the reason, I have nothing to say. Because she’s pretty even when I look at her.

After finishing a barbecue party-cum-meal in Ryan’s backyard, which was large enough to play soccer, we separated from the children, wives, or girlfriends and gathered in front of the living room TV.

Four Wild Card games were being played simultaneously on TV.

“It was a bit surprising that the Angels won, but most of it was as expected. Isn’t it?”

“That’s right, Ryu Han-gyul. That friend is definitely good. His stuff itself isn’t that great, but what should I say… it’s like he knows how to throw the ball.”

“It’s also amazing that a friend like that can’t stand up straight when he sees Han, that guy. Hehe.”

“Anyway, our opponent will be Boston, right?”

“Hmm, well… if you just look at today’s starter, it’s definitely Boston.”

The players who fixed the channel to the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics continued to check news from other stadiums on their smartphones.

The National League game situation was similar to yesterday.

The Philadelphia Phillies, powered by Javier Castillo’s back-to-back home runs, took a 4-1 lead over the Giants, while elsewhere, the Chicago Cubs took a 5-2 lead thanks to Sean Tucker’s three-run home run.

“Sean Tucker, it looks like his chin is all attached now. Hehe.”

“You son of a bitch, thinking about that time makes me angry again. I should have killed him for real.”

Bruce, who had suffered for a while after being hit by that guy’s bat, gritted his teeth.

In the meantime, the game continued, and in the end, no upset occurred.

The Chicago White Sox, who were evaluated as the weakest team among the postseason participants despite being the Central Division champions, lost two games to the LA Angels and were the first to be eliminated from fall baseball.

Lee Chan-ho, who hit a come-from-behind double in the top of the 9th inning, was doing the game MVP interview with tears and snot all over his face.

The National League was also as we expected.

The Phillies, who were ahead in overall strength, won against the Giants again today, securing a Division Series appearance with two consecutive wins, and the Chicago Cubs also defeated Atlanta with two wins.

However,

The last remaining game,

The game between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics, which had been going back and forth all the time, deviated from our expectations.

“That… won’t be easy?”

“Um.”

“Damn it, should I call him?”

Tai, with a serious face, muttered while holding his smartphone.

The Wild Card Game 2 between the two teams ended with a one-point win for the Oakland Athletics, 9-8.

However, the faces of the Boston Red Sox players were overshadowed by more than one loss.

Jerry Wagner, the team’s captain and starting catcher, who was out at home on a shallow fly in the last chance to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th inning, was being carried off on a stretcher with a painful expression.

At that moment, no one said a word, but similar thoughts came to everyone’s mind.

Was this the end of the Boston Red Sox’s fall baseball without Jerry Wagner?

And the next day.

[Wild Card Game 3 between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics ends with Oakland’s victory.]

[Red Sox, unable to fill the void of starting catcher Jerry Wagner, lose powerlessly 7-1 and are eliminated from fall baseball]

[Jerry Wagner, who watched the team’s defeat from the dugout, “I wanted to face Seattle one more time…” shows tears without being able to continue speaking]

[Finally confirmed Division Series matchups]

American League

Seattle Mariners VS Oakland Athletics

New York Yankees VS LA Angels

National League

St. Louis Cardinals VS Chicago Cubs

LA Dodgers VS Philadelphia Phillies

[Seattle Mariners manager Benjamin Reynolds, who will play in the postseason game for the first time in 8 years, “I’m thinking of making some changes to the pitching staff operation in the postseason. The Division Series Game 1 starter is Han Su-hyeok.”]