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| SSG and LG at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 20th, and SSG escaped six consecutive losses with a 9-3 victory. Winning pitchers Anderson and Lee Sung-yong share the joy of victory. Incheon= Reporter's book @sportschosun.com/2025.04.20/ |
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This is a monthly MVP pace. But there are too strong competitors.
On May 17, Cody Ponce of the Hanwha Eagles set a new record for the most strikeouts in 9 KBO innings by striking out 18 (two hits and no runs) in 8 innings against the Daejeon SSG Landers. Ponce, who brought down his season ERA to 1.48, was ranked first in the league's ERA category.
However, Ponce's face with the No. 1 ERA changed as he allowed two runs in five innings and four runs in seven innings, respectively, in the last two games. Ponce has a 1.94 ERA for the season. The current No. 1 player is SSG Drew Anderson with 1.85.
Anderson's May pace is remarkable. Three runs (one earned run) in 29 ⅔ innings with three wins and no losses in five games. Excluding the lost points linked to the error, he has dedicated only one point in five games.
His ERA in May was only 0.30, and he succeeded in lowering his ERA in the season from 2 points to 1 point. Anderson also pitched seven scoreless innings against the Incheon NC Dinos on the 27th, but ended up with a 'no-decision' due to the failure to support scoring. But his personal performance has improved. This is why he overtook Ponce to become the No. 1 player.
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| The game between SSG and Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 21st, and SSG Anderson is delighted after catching Doosan's Kang Seung-ho with a fly to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.05.21/ |
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Anderson is a completely different pitcher after the opening two games and beyond. Anderson, who is in his second season in the KBO League, was sluggish with four runs in three ⅔ innings and five runs (three earned) in five innings in his second appearance. Strangely, the number of runs has increased as the hit rate has increased. It was contrary to what he showed in the second half of last year.
In the SSG data team, Anderson found the factors that were sluggish in detail and went into pinpoint calibration. Anderson also quickly accepted the data team's advice and pitched one run in his return match after maternity leave in early April, striking out as many as 13 in seven innings.
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| SSG Anderson is heading to the dugout after finishing the game between SSG and Doosan at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 21st with no runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.05.21/ |
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Since then, it has been on a roll. Excluding the opening two games, Anderson's season record is just 4-1 with a 0.99 ERA in nine games. Unlike most players who lose their stamina, the ERA in April is 1.80 and the ERA in May is 0.30, they are raising their pace more.
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| KIA-KT match held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 21st. In the top of the fifth inning, Choi Hyung-woo hits a double with one out and a runner on first base. Suwon = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.5.21/ |
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| A game between the Samsung Lions and the LG Twins at Lions Park in Daegu on the 11th. Samsung Diaz is cheering after hitting a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning. Daegu=Park Jae-man Reporter pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.05.11/ |
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Anderson's performance in May alone means he could win the league's monthly MVP award.
But the competitors are so powerful. First of all, KIA Tigers' Choi Hyung-woo has great momentum. Choi Hyung-woo, who is playing 'hard carry' in the KIA lineup at the age of 42, has a monthly batting average of 440 until the 28th and is remarkable with six home runs and 23 RBIs. In addition, Samsung Lions' Lewin Diaz, who added 10 home runs in May alone, is also a strong candidate. The power of Ponce, who set a new record of 18 strikeouts, cannot be ignored.
The monthly MVP vote in May, which has not yet begun to be counted, is already set to be a fierce war.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
