The last time I tasted the winning pitcher was on August 15, 2021. After that, there is a pitcher who has not been able to establish a relationship with victory for a year and eight months.
Kenta Maeda (35, Minnesota Twins) started the 2023 major league away game against the Chicago White Sox held at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA on the 11th (Korean time), and became a losing pitcher with 8 hits, 3 strikeouts and 4 runs in 6 innings. done.
He lost another game after becoming a losing pitcher with 5 innings, 3 hits, 9 strikeouts and 1 run in an away game against the Miami Marlins on the 6th. Season 2 loss. ERA 4.09. Overall pitching isn’t bad. He thoroughly pitched with a slider and splitter, occasionally mixing curves and two-seams.메이저놀이터
His fastball was only between 88 and 89 mph (143 km). He held on well until the 3rd inning, but from the 4th inning, the number of misfires increased. The slider thrown at Hanseo Alberto went into the middle and was hit by a decisive three-run gun. But even after that, he couldn’t change his pitching pattern. He pitched strictly with a breaking ball, and his fastball never went beyond 90 mph.
There is a reason. Maeda underwent Tommy John surgery after a game against the New York Yankees on August 22, 2021. He had to take the entire 2022 season off. In five demonstration games, he recorded an average ERA of 4.91 with 1 win and 1 loss, and started as Minnesota’s 5th starter with the opening. It must be seen that he has not yet reached his peak in terms of pitch and condition. CBS Sports said, “Maeda wasn’t as sharp as his first start of the season.”
It seems like it needs time. However, Maeda’s multiplier clock remains at 59 wins in a year and eight months. Maeda did not taste victory after becoming the winning pitcher with 6 innings, 3 hits, 4 strikeouts, 2 walks and no runs in a home game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 15, 2021.
In modern baseball, the meaning of a starting pitcher’s starting win has faded a lot. Still, it is not an area to be overlooked in terms of mood change. Maeda has a good chance of rising once he gets a taste of victory, whether he gets help from other players or improves his condition.
This season is important for Maeda. This is the final season of the 8-year, $25 million (approximately 33 billion won), so-called slave contract, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Maeda debuted with the Dodgers in 2016 and has a career record of 59-43 with a 3.88 ERA in 171 games. He ranks ninth in the Major League Baseball’s Asian pitchers’ most wins category. Among pitchers currently active in the major leagues, Darvish Yu (San Diego Padres, 95 wins) and Ryu Hyun-jin (Toronto Blue Jays, 75 wins) rank third.
