Ryu Hyun-jin, who returned to the “heavyweight” match, is the second opponent is the “lightweight.”
Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto Blue Jays), who had a comeback in the major leagues (MLB) after 426 days, will challenge for the first win of the season. If the opponent before returning (Baltimore Orioles) was a heavyweight, the second opponent 메이저놀이터 (Cleveland Guardians) is close to a lightweight.
Ryu Hyun-jin will start in the Cleveland away game held at Progressive Field in Ohio, USA on the 8th (Korean time). Looking at Toronto’s starting rotation, Ryu Hyun-jin is in charge of Game 1 of the 4 consecutive games (8-11) in Cleveland following Chris Bassett (against Boston) on the 7th. Cleveland confirmed and announced right-hander Gavin Williams (1-3, 3.38 ERA) as the starting pitcher on the 8th before Toronto announced the appearance of Ryu Hyun-jin.
Ryu Hyun-jin, who underwent Tommy John surgery (elbow ligament joint surgery) in June of last year, returned to the MLB after a 1 year and 2 month hiatus. The results fell short of expectations. He started the home game against Baltimore in the last 2 days and became the losing pitcher with 9 hits (1 home run) and 4 runs in 5 innings. Even before his return, he was sweating when he met Baltimore, who ranked second overall in the MLB and ranked first in winning percentage in the American League (AL). Cleveland is all inferior to Baltimore in terms of pitching power.
As of the 6th, Cleveland’s record was 54-57 (0.486 win rate), second in the AL Central Division. He is chasing the Minnesota Twins (58-54), who are ranked No. 1 in the district, with 3.5 games and growing hopes for fall baseball, but the win rate is not high. It ranks 21st out of 30 MLB teams and 11th out of 15 AL teams. One room in particular is lacking. The team finished last in the league in both home runs (83) and at-bats/home run ratio (45.57). The team’s slugging percentage is also 0.382, ranking 27th. For Ryu Hyun-jin, who was allowed a lot of long hits in the game against Baltimore, this factor was less burdensome.
Unfortunately, Cleveland’s center lineup is virtually in a state of collapse. Josh Bell (batting average of 0.233, 11 homers, 48 RBIs), one of four batters who hit double-digit homers, was traded to the Miami Marlins on the 2nd. Josh Naylor (batting average 0.306, 15 homers, 79 RBIs), the only 300 hitter to fill the required at-bats, was placed on the 10-day disabled list (IL) with an oblique sprain on the 5th. Naylor is strong enough to rank third in AL RBIs, following Adolis Garcia (Texas Rangers, 88 RBIs) and Ohtani Shohei (LA Angels, 82 RBIs). Third baseman Jose Ramirez and second baseman Andres Jimenez have to be careful with the attack, but it is evaluated that the overall firepower has been reduced by half as the weight of the center line is weakened.
Ryu Hyun-jin is recording an average ERA of 2.84 with 2 wins and 3 starts against Cleveland. He climbed the mound once in 2021 on the progressive field, and he became the winning pitcher with 4 hits and 2 runs in 5 innings.
MBC Sports Plus commentator Song Jae-woo, an MLB expert, said, “Before the trade deadline, Cleveland sent three key pitchers, including Aaron Seavale (pitcher), Ahmed Rosario (infielder), and Bell. It may seem like they gave up on the season.” It is a good thing for Ryu Hyun-jin that he is missing. The recent pace of Chinese player Stephen Kwan is good, and Jimenez is also recovering his batting pace. However, no player is recording more than 20 homers. It is a golden opportunity to win the first win after returning. It might be an opportunity,” he said.