Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 123

Pitcher Done, Batter Up – Episode 122

As always, Truist Park was packed.

No, it felt like there were even more people than usual.

Because today’s game wasn’t just a regular season match.

The Wild Card.

A head-to-head match between the two teams with the highest winning percentages in the league, fighting for a spot in the Division Series.

More like a do-or-die match.

A postseason game was being held at Truist Park for the first time in a long time.

‘The atmosphere is different.’

Lee Jung-woo scanned Truist Park, where people were flooding in like a tide.

The home stadium, which he had become accustomed to in just a few months, was the same as the day before.

But the energy emanating from each and every spectator was different.

‘People’s desires aren’t easily extinguished with just satisfaction. They only grow bigger.’

Just yesterday, the fans were happy just to have advanced to the postseason.

But it seems that once people are satisfied with one thing, they want the next.

They were hoping for the next game and the next stage.

That expectation was permeating everywhere.

Tightening the stadium little by little, like a noose around a condemned man’s neck.

‘At least it’s fortunate that it’s our home… or is it not fortunate?’

Lee Jung-woo looked up at the stands filled with people.

Seeing the spectators locking eyes with him and raising their voices even louder.

He thought that the home team advantage granted in this Wild Card game thanks to their higher winning percentage might not be such a good thing after all.

“Whoa~! Whoa-oh-oh-oh!”

“Whoa-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh!”

The traditional cheering tool, the tomahawk, and cell phones with their lights on waved like a wave.

The spectators filling the seats were already singing the fight song at the top of their lungs.

As Lee Jung-woo blankly watched, he suddenly noticed the actions of his teammates around him.

Biting their nails, shaking their legs, or gulping down water.

Even the always calm Joey and Derrick, and the captain who had said he wanted to be cheered on in the postseason.

Behind their composed faces lay a burden.

The fans’ expectations.

The pressure from the spectators.

Those things were binding the Braves.

‘This is dangerous.’

Lee Jung-woo felt it instinctively.

It might be dangerous.

A moderate amount of tension creates good plays, but the moment it crosses a certain line.

It hardens the body like stone.

Lee Jung-woo realized.

Just as he lacked experience.

The other players on the Braves also had little experience with fall baseball [postseason baseball].

‘On the other hand, the opponent… they may not have won a championship, but they have plenty of experience.’

Lee Jung-woo turned his head.

He saw the opposing team’s pitcher, a player with striking blonde hair, exchanging words with the catcher.

Ilya Danilov. Thanks to the strong one-two punch of the Giants’ Tsar, a Cy Young winner [award for the best pitcher in each league], and now the Braves’ ace, Mason Roper, he had experienced countless postseasons.

‘Danilov’s postseason record is also good. Well, just looking at him, he doesn’t seem like a nervous type.’

Lee Jung-woo scratched his head.

It really seemed like today’s game was dangerous.

After watching the opponent for a moment, Lee Jung-woo refocused on warming up.

####

As the game began.

The spectators became quiet, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

It was a struggle not to disturb the players’ performance.

The players, who had been dazed by the quiet stadium, regained their senses.

The Giants were up to bat first.

[Finally, the long-awaited Wild Card game is about to begin.]

[As for the Braves, it’s their first postseason in a long time, so many fans must be looking forward to it.]

[How do you see the game going?]

[Well, I think…….]

Before the game.

The experts’ predictions for the Wild Card game were somewhat ambiguous.

A close match, or the Braves with a very slight advantage.

Most people predicted the outcome that way.

The reason why such predictions were made despite the Braves being superior in the bullpen and batting lineup was simple.

The difference in experience that the Giants’ manager had been emphasizing so much, and the capabilities of both teams’ starting pitchers.

That made the scales somewhat balanced.

[Mason Roper has definitely shown a high level of performance in the league this season. That’s for sure.]

This season, Mason Roper certainly showed more improved performance than before.

Braves fans were cursing General Manager Pratt for only signing him to a three-year contract.

Similarly, Giants fans were cursing their own general manager for not signing him.

[This season, he pitched 201 innings in 32 games, recording an ERA of 2.96, 16 wins, 8 losses, and 198 strikeouts. The number of hits allowed has also decreased significantly from before free agency. Amazing.]

[Of course, the Braves’ strong center line played a big role in that great performance. But at least this season, Mason is worthy of being called an ace.]

Like that saying, this year’s Mason was recognized as a definite ace, not just a number one starter.

He was truly one of the top starting pitchers in the league.

But the problem was the player he was facing in this single-game match.

Mason was similar to or even better than most other teams’ number one starters.

But in this game, he was clearly a little lacking.

[He’s a good starter and a great player, but… the opposing starter is too strong.]

[Ilya Danilov, the Tsar of the Giants.]

If Mason had improved further, Ilya Danilov had performed exactly up to his name value.

He pitched 214⅓ innings in 33 games, recording an ERA of 2.59, 251 strikeouts, and 18 wins and 8 losses.

He recorded a performance that was not ashamed of the nickname Tsar.

There was even talk that he was aiming for his second Cy Young Award.

As such, the Giants were clearly slightly ahead in terms of starting pitcher influence. And since the influence of the starter in a single game is so great.

Some people saw the Giants as having the advantage. Nevertheless, the Braves’ chances of winning were considered even slightly higher.

It was the difference in the capabilities of both teams.

[The Giants are definitely superior in the starting pitcher battle. But when looking at the overall team balance, the Braves are better. The batting lineup and bullpen are both excellent.]

[Yes, this season, the Braves’ batting lineup is truly called a nuclear lineup.]

[On the other hand, the Giants also have a good batting lineup. But it’s true that they are a little lacking compared to the Braves.]

This was an assessment that even Giants fans had to admit.

In fact, it wasn’t just the Giants.

There were hardly any teams that were evaluated as having better offensive power than the Braves.

[And the Braves have prepared a trick. Those who have seen the roster may have been a little surprised. Is this okay?]

[It’s uncertain whether it will work well. But it’s still a good trick to put pressure on the great pitcher Ilya Danilov.]

That’s what the commentator said. But he didn’t say who would definitely win, or where the victory was expected.

[Nevertheless, I think it’s likely to be a pitching duel. At least while the starting pitchers are facing each other.]

[The capabilities that a strong starting pitcher shows in a short-term game are so powerful that they cannot be ignored.]

[However, the problem is that even if Mason goes down, the Braves have a backup, but the Giants don’t.]

With that, the commentator finished speaking. And as he expected, the top of the first inning went as he predicted.

The Giants fans’ anxiety deepened a little more.

[He hit it! Oh! But- the Braves have Lee! Jungwoo Lee’s super save!]

[Lee’s defense is still as good as ever in the postseason. He doesn’t seem nervous.]

[Yes, that means he’s that strong-hearted.]

[Strike! Mason Roper gets a strikeout! The Giants’ attack in the top of the first inning ends with three up, three down!]

[Amazing. He’s throwing his fastest fastball even in the postseason.]

[That means he’s that strong.]

Mason easily shut down the Giants’ first attack.

The Braves fans watched him proudly as he confidently walked off the mound, while the Giants fans watched him bitterly.

“Good job, Mason. You’re the ace.”

“The Giants guys’ eyes were wide, weren’t they?”

The Braves players raised their thumbs from afar, careful not to disturb the pitcher’s concentration.

Or they lightly clapped and praised him. Mason, who nodded indifferently, thanked Lee Jung-woo in return.

“It’s only the first inning, so we have to keep working hard. And Lee, your defense was good just now.”

“Well, my defense is always good. As I always say, throw with confidence. I’m behind you.”

Mason chuckled at Lee Jung-woo, who was deliberately exaggerating more than usual.

The cold atmosphere due to the pressure was slightly relieved by that heartwarming scene.

Lee Jung-woo nodded at the sight of them returning to their usual selves.

For the sake of victory.

It wasn’t bad to play the clown sometimes.

It was a good start, but the only thing that worried him was that most of the players seemed a little awkward, as he had thought.

‘It’s fortunate that it ended well, but overall, they’re flustered. They’re acting a little rushed, unlike usual. It’s probably because of the tension. If we give up the first run, we could collapse. We need to score first, so I hope the plan works well.’

Lee Jung-woo looked at the opposing team’s bench.

They must have been confused after checking today’s game roster.

Lee Jung-woo hoped that it would work out well.

####

“Lee, would it be okay if we adjusted your batting order to number 2 in the Wild Card game?”

“Yes? Number 2?”

A few days before the Wild Card game. When the regular season was still in its final stages.

The head coach said something out of the blue to Lee Jung-woo, who was going through his routine as usual.

When Lee Jung-woo asked what he meant by number 2 hitter, the head coach hurriedly added.

“It’s okay if you feel uncomfortable. I’m not forcing you.”

The way he was making excuses might seem like an overreaction. But Lee Jung-woo understood.

He wasn’t just a rookie.

He was practically already the Braves’ franchise star and a key player.

Especially with the Wild Card game coming up, no coach would want to shake up the core hitters.

So he had to be as careful as possible.

That’s why Lee Jung-woo shook his head as if it was nothing.

“No, I don’t really care about the batting order, so it’s okay. But what will the batting order be then?”

“Derrick will move up to number 1, and Rollins will move down to number 8. Peterson and Poppin will move up one spot each.”

Lee Jung-woo nodded at the head coach’s words.

It was an understandable choice.

Since it was the opponent, it seemed like it would be better to put all the strong hitters up front.

To maximize explosiveness.

However, there might be fewer runners on base in front of Lee Jung-woo because of the pitcher’s spot at number 9.

But that would also be alleviated a little by Rollins going to number 8.

And since it was a match between aces anyway.

It would be a close game, so they might as well give the powerful players as many chances as possible.

To get one more point somehow.

‘They’re also placing top-notch left-handed hitters like Derrick and me to put a little more pressure on the right-handed pitcher Ilya.’

Lee Jung-woo nodded.

But there was something he didn’t realize.

It was intentional walk suppression.

They were forcing the Giants.

Not to walk Lee Jung-woo.

Of course, he was a Cy Young winner and an ace, so his ego as a pitcher was great.

And the Giants also had pride, so they wouldn’t do that if they could help it.

But since it was the postseason, a single-game match, it wouldn’t be strange if they did anything.

There was a meaning to suppressing them so that they wouldn’t do that even if they wanted to.

The pressure of facing Joey, the league’s best slugger, with runners on base would be great.

It was just a slight shift in the batting lineup, but it had many meanings.

Lee Jung-woo thought simply.

In the end, what he had to do was the same.

‘I can be at bat a little more often. So there’s nothing particularly bad about it.’

“I’ll do number 2 hitter.”

“Thanks, Lee.”

Lee Jung-woo nodded readily after finishing his thoughts. The head coach smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

####

‘It’s a minor method. But each of those things can determine the outcome. I have to hope it works well.’

That’s what Lee Jung-woo thought. When he finished switching from defense to offense.

He grabbed his bat earlier than usual and walked to the on-deck circle.

Fortunately, the new batting order didn’t feel that awkward.

In the first place, he wasn’t that sensitive of a type when he was a pitcher.

His playing style itself was the same as usual anyway.

‘Stack up runners in front of me. I’ll definitely hit a home run. In the end, it’s all the same.’

That’s why Lee Jung-woo calmly went up to the on-deck circle.

Derrick quietly said to him.

“I’ll try to draw as many pitches as possible. Watch carefully.”

“Yes, please, Captain.”

Derrick Hunt walked to the plate with a determined face.

Unlike usual, when he focused on hits, he was thinking of playing like a traditional leadoff hitter.

For the team. And for the fans who loved him and his own desires.

Derrick trudged to the plate. Everyone’s eyes followed him.

People thought.

As all the Braves fans hoped, would Ilya’s stuff drop due to fatigue?

Or would he show the potential of a top-notch pitcher, as the Giants fans who came to the away game or were watching the broadcast wished?

Confirming that was the key to this match. And the attention was focused on one place.

“Captain! Captain!”

“Leadoff home run!”

A moment to catch their breath.

The pitcher and the batter looking at each other.

A cold tension flowed through the stadium once again at the showdown between the icons of the two proud teams.

After a fierce battle of nerves.

The pitcher on the mound wound up for a long time according to the catcher’s request.

He showed off his pink fingernails and threw the first pitch, his bright yellow dyed hair fluttering.

“Strike!”

The umpire’s loud declaration.

The pitcher’s choice was a fastball.

It was a four-seamer [a type of fastball].

The number on the scoreboard was 96 miles per hour.

A four-seamer with the same velocity as he had shown during the season. Not only the velocity but also the stuff was similar.

‘He’s not tired?’

Lee Jung-woo glared and watched the match.

And the second pitch he threw.

This time it was also a four-seamer.

The velocity was 1 mile slower than the first pitch at 95 miles per hour. But the stuff was similar to the first pitch.

However, it went out of the zone and was declared a ball. The count was one and one.

The pitcher continued to throw consecutive pitches. Both courses were ambiguous.

Derrick kept watching because he was thinking of drawing as many pitches as possible.

The umpire’s declaration was ball and strike.

Now two and two.

Lee Jung-woo put more strength in his eyes.

‘It’s time for a curveball. For now, it’s similar to his regular season force.’

As he expected.

The pitcher’s choice was a curveball.

And it was definitely the high-speed waterfall curve that that strange pitcher was so proud of.

A curveball that dropped sharply.

As he had told Lee Jung-woo earlier. Derrick swung. He barely cut the ball off by forcibly changing the trajectory of his bat.

It was the result of his determination. But that was the end.

Because he struck out swinging at the 97-mile high fastball that he threw next, which recorded the highest velocity.

“What… he’s fine?”

“Haa, how can that bastard be so energetic after throwing over 200 innings?”

“Not yet! He’s just squeezing it out!”

“We have to watch more. Postseason is when they collapse even if they’re like that.”

Because it was just one at-bat.

People wanted to deny it.

But in their hearts, they already knew.

At least for now, the pitcher seemed fine.

Thanks to the good start in the top of the first inning.

A coldness that felt like pouring cold water on Truist Park, which had a good atmosphere, flashed by. But it soon calmed down again at the sight of the batter going up to the batter’s box.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s fine. We have Lee.”

“Don’t you know he got hit with a splash hit by Lee when he was in top condition? It’s nothing.”

“Lee! Hit one out for Derrick’s share!”

A player who gives deep trust.

The spectators shouted loudly towards Lee Jung-woo and cheered him on.

Derrick, who was coming down from the plate, looked at him as if he was a little sorry.

“Hoo, I made a big noise, and I’m embarrassed. I’m even the captain… I’m sorry, Lee.”

Lee Jung-woo shook his head as if to say it was okay to Derrick, who looked a little depressed.

“No, that’s enough. Good job, and watch comfortably.”

“…Okay, I trust you.”

Derrick patted him on the shoulder as if asking him to do it, and then walked to the dugout.

Lee Jung-woo slowly walked and looked at the pitcher.