Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 129

Pitchers Done, Batters Up – 128

Unlike the clean 3-0 score of the Eastern Division showdown.

The Division Series between the LA Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates ended in a 2-2 tie, forcing a decisive Game 5. With the Division Series concluded, the Atlanta Braves staff and fans, after a brief respite, shifted their focus to their competitive rivals.

They were eager to learn who their next opponent would be.

The players shared this anticipation.

During their short break while awaiting the Championship Series,

the players often congregated at a teammate’s house to watch the games.

The position players primarily gathered at Joey’s residence.

As befitted a superstar, his house was spacious. And since he was single and lived alone,

it was the ideal spot for the players to assemble.

At Derek’s urging, Lee Jung-woo emerged from his house for the first time in a while.

He enjoyed simple snacks with his teammates

as he watched Game 5 between the Dodgers and Pirates.

‘Ideally, it would be best if the Pirates advanced… but that will be tough.’

The game itself was a thriller.

It resembled a gritty brawl, with both sides fiercely contesting every inch.

A series of comebacks and reversals created a seesaw battle.

A tense, hard-fought contest, but

in the end, the Dodgers delivered the knockout blow.

Just when it seemed they might stumble after allowing the tying run,

they capitalized on a mistake by the Pirates pitcher, turning it into a home run.

A three-run homer that cleared the fence.

Like Lee Jung-woo a few days prior, the batter was swarmed by his teammates, basking in the euphoria.

Lee Jung-woo, sipping a bland, sugar-free, non-carbonated drink, frowned slightly as he watched, clicking his tongue as if a bit disappointed. But his reaction was mild compared to others.

“Seriously, another hit?”

“Wow, they barely tied it, and then immediately give up a home run.”

“That was definitely a mistake pitch, right?”

“Yeah, right in the sweet spot.”

“Honestly, if you can’t hit that, you shouldn’t be in the major leagues.”

Just as the Pirates batters were showcasing incredible power, barely managing to tie the game, seemingly compensating for the struggling pitchers, the pitchers’ poor performance led to another reversal.

Since they were all hitters, the gathered players sympathized with the Pirates batters.

They didn’t just frown.

They openly criticized the Pirates pitchers.

“Ha, so pathetic.”

“If I were Harding, I’d lose all respect.”

“Wow, our team’s pitchers are really good.”

“Always be grateful. At least they’re much better than that.”

“Seriously, what’s with these pitchers getting shelled as soon as they come in?”

“After barely scoring, it’s really demoralizing when the pitchers do that.”

The players continued to criticize the Pirates pitchers.

But they soon seemed to regain their composure, clicking their tongues.

Pirates and Dodgers.

In reality, neither team would be an easy opponent for the Braves.

They had easily defeated the Phillies, the strongest team among the National League Division contenders, but

the other two teams felt more challenging for the Braves.

The Dodgers, lacking a clear ace but boasting a lineup of solid starters in their 2nd and 3rd spots, were a formidable force.

And the Pirates, led by their great captain, the “Flying Dutchman” [a reference to Honus Wagner, a legendary Pirates player], and possessing explosive offensive capabilities, were a powder keg ready to ignite at any moment.

However, one opponent was perceived as slightly more manageable.

“Lee, what do you think? Who would be better to face?”

“I don’t care who advances… but the Pirates would be more comfortable.”

“That’s true.”

Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lee Jung-woo’s words resonated with everyone, who nodded in agreement.

The Dodgers’ starting lineup, even without a dominant ace, was very well-rounded.

So, from the batters’ perspective, the Pirates, whose pitching staff was struggling, were the preferred matchup.

Considering the overall team perspective, the Dodgers presented a greater challenge.

‘Compared to them, our 1st starter is overwhelmingly superior. The 2nd starter is equal, or slightly inferior. And from the 3rd starter onwards, we are severely lacking.’

That gap could be compensated for with a strong bullpen and a powerful batting lineup, but

it would be preferable for the batters to engage in a slugfest with the Pirates, relying on a superior pitching lineup.

Of course, if the pitchers overheard that, they would grab them by the collar and curse them.

‘By the way, who advanced before the regression? It’s been so long, I don’t remember well.’

If he could recall with certainty who it was, he could prepare for the game with a slightly more relaxed mindset.

All he remembered was the construction of the Boston dynasty.

The Phillies, hyped beyond belief and then eliminated early.

That was all.

‘I didn’t have the time to pay attention to other things. I was too busy trying to survive…’

Before the regression, Lee Jung-woo was grappling with diminished velocity and control, which persisted even after his rehab comeback. After Double-A [the second-highest level of minor league baseball], he was completely absorbed in rigorous practice and training, leaving him no time to focus on anything else.

He rarely checked his phone, let alone watch TV or browse the internet, maybe once or twice every week or ten days. And even then, he was constantly on edge, desperately trying to hold on and concentrating solely on improving his performance and skills.

In fact, he had only a vague awareness of his physical condition.

At that time, he had tried to suppress his interest in the major leagues, which remained only a distant dream.

‘I remember the Dodgers playing in the World Series once during the Boston dynasty, but was that this year? Or next year?’

As a result, Lee Jung-woo, struggling to recall hazy memories, soon smiled and shook his head.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s just a little funny….”

‘A discarded pitcher transforming into a top-class hitter and reaching the Division Series, and now reminiscing about the past… how amusing.’

Lee Jung-woo chuckled.

But the surrounding players seemed to interpret it differently.

“Well, they’re both trash anyway, so who cares who comes up?”

“Lee’s right. The scrubs who went to Game 5 are fundamentally different from our Braves.”

“Uh… that’s not what I meant-”

“Whoever wins, bring it on! Because they’ll be crushed by us in the Championship Series anyway!”

“For the Braves! For Lee!”

They misinterpreted his words among themselves.

Lee Jung-woo looked at Derek, embarrassed, as they even raised their uninspired drinks and toasted.

He just shrugged, as if saying, ‘Whatever makes you happy.’

Lee Jung-woo, who unintentionally boosted his teammates’ morale, scratched his beardless chin.

But he smiled and took a sip of his drink.

‘Yeah, what does it matter now? Whoever advances, we just have to crush them and move on.’

It was a pointless misunderstanding, but

rather, it eased his mind.

The atmosphere became more relaxed.

And as the Braves players enjoyed their bland drinks,

their next opponent was determined.

[The Los Angeles Dodgers! Advance to the National League Championship Series!]

The Pirates players hung their heads. Vincent Harding, caught on camera, let out a long sigh, seemingly regretting the end of his final season with the Pirates.

Behind him,

the players who rushed onto the field filled the stadium.

Just like Atlanta did a while ago. Dodgers Stadium on the screen was also rocking.

The battle to determine the National League champion for the 2034 season, the NLCS, would be between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

####

After a sweet, short break,

the Braves were fully prepared once again.

And the fans’ expectations steadily grew.

A team with strong momentum facing a worthy opponent.

As these factors aligned,

the World Series suddenly seemed within reach for the fans.

-It’s away again this time.

-It can’t be helped. We’re a wild card team.

-It’s better that way. Games 3, 4, and 5 are all at Truist Park [the Braves’ home stadium]. We’re going to sweep their home games, right?

-That’s right, it’ll be easier that way.

The Braves fans were always smiling.

It was clear that the situation was favorable to the Braves.

First of all, ace Mason had a valuable rest, having been spared from pitching in the Division Series.

The other players also benefited from a significant rest after their quick Division Series victory.

On the other hand, the Dodgers were more fatigued than the Braves, having emerged from a grueling battle that went to Game 5.

Being a wild card team, it was a bit inconvenient to have Games 1 and 2 at Dodgers Stadium.

But otherwise, all the odds seemed to favor the Braves.

-The Dodgers also played it smart. They saved their 1st starter until the end. But still, Mason is better.

-Isn’t that obvious?

-Honestly, Mason would be insulted if he was compared to a guy like Billy Nixon, right?

-There’s a reason one is called the 1st starter. One is an ace, and the other is temporary. The level is different.

Unlike Mason, who had a season with results that would justify calling him an ace,

the Dodgers’ 1st starter, Billy Nixon, was designated as such, but he wasn’t a pitcher considered to be an ace.

From the beginning, there were doubts about his ability to hold onto the 1st starter role beyond this year.

That’s why the fans were confident that Mason, who had impressed them throughout the season, would secure the victory in Game 1.

And they felt the same about Game 2.

-And look at Game 2. If they put out their 2nd starter, it’s Aidan Styles. Lee completely dominated him, right?

-Two pitches and one of them is a curveball? Then it’s over.

-I can see it, he’ll just keep throwing fastballs and get hit when they figure out the timing.

-Are we really going to the World Series?

-Definitely.

As the fans’ expectations soared, Mason, simply warming up before departing for LA, smiled brightly on his last day in Atlanta.

“How is it? Is it okay?”

“Huh? Yeah… it’s good? Wow. Aren’t there too many geniuses on our team? Joey, Derek, Lee. And even you.”

As the bullpen catcher muttered with an astonished expression, Mason warmed up again.

He had definitely found the right feeling, but he didn’t want to lose it, so he wanted to solidify it.

“Are you going to throw more?”

“I’ve rested enough. And you know I’m just throwing lightly, right? I’m a veteran, so I know what I’m doing. Just catch one more.”

At his request, the bullpen catcher resumed his stance as if it were truly the last one.

The ball was weaker than usual, as he had said. He hadn’t thrown that many either.

‘His expression is bright. Not bad. It’s better for the starting pitcher scheduled to start to be smiling than to be drooping.’

The bullpen catcher was relieved.

Although he no longer played in games and only caught the ball,

it was still good news that the starting pitcher, entrusted with the important task of Game 1 of the Championship Series, was in a good mood.

When the prepared catcher nodded, Mason smiled and soon took his stance.

‘By the way… he’s really a genius. How much did he throw to already….’

As the bullpen catcher chuckled to himself, Mason, having finished preparing, threw the ball, and a perfect pitch landed firmly in the catcher’s mitt.

That was enough.

“How is it? Pretty useful, right?”

“Not just useful… the hitters will be screaming next season?”

Mason nodded in satisfaction at the bullpen catcher’s words, which were half joke and half serious.

There was just one thing he wanted to correct. But he kept his mouth shut.

He simply wore a broad smile.

####

After the regular season,

LA, which he was visiting again after a long time, had a very different atmosphere than before.

“Oh, did we get on the wrong plane? This is like Philadelphia?”

“Wow, if we’re getting this, how crazy would it be if we played the Giants in the postseason?”

“It seems like the drug that caught the Giants isn’t working for the Championship Series.”

“It’s the postseason. It’s a little strange to welcome the opposing team.”

They hadn’t even reached Dodgers Stadium yet. They were just driving near the airport.

The eyes of some people watching the Braves team bus heading to the accommodation were filled with animosity. Clear hostility was palpable.

During the regular season,

the Dodgers had shown a surprisingly friendly reaction, acknowledging that the Braves had secured first place by defeating the Giants.

And in the postseason, they were praised in various Dodgers fan communities as heroes who had dragged the Giants down in the Wild Card game. Now, they were simply enemies.

Even though the sudden change in atmosphere was a bit jarring,

it wasn’t particularly surprising.

Lee Jung-woo nodded calmly, and the players remained unfazed.

No, they didn’t even perceive it as threatening.

“The atmosphere will be great if we go back with 2 wins.”

“But it won’t be as intense as Philadelphia, right?”

“Hey, you can’t compare it to Philadelphia. We have to treat that as an exception.”

For the NL East teams cursed to be in the same division as the Phillies, that level of reaction was just child’s play.

That’s why the players, taking it lightly, were fully armed with confidence.

But some veterans and coaches glanced around. Lee Jung-woo did the same.

‘It’s not bad yet.’

Teammates who were chatting with each other,

or teammates who were closing their eyes and meditating as if trying to concentrate on the game.

It was a little lighthearted, but the atmosphere wasn’t negative.

Lee Jung-woo, looking around at them, turned his gaze back to the window.

‘It’s not raining, but it’s humid.’

Unlike Los Angeles, which is usually dry,

there were some dark clouds in the sky.

And the air was thick with moisture.

It was quite sticky.

It wasn’t raining yet.

It felt like it would pour down at any moment.

Looking out the window, Lee Jung-woo thought.

‘It’s like the calm before the storm. It feels like it’s about to rain.’

The Championship Series that he had been eagerly awaiting.

It was finally the festival that had arrived.

But for some reason, he felt a little uneasy.