With his career back on track, Ryu Hyun-jin (36-Toronto Blue Jays) will next face the Cincinnati Reds.
“In the starting rotation, Hyun-jin Ryu is projected to start against Cincinnati in the 2023 Major League Baseball World Series, which begins at 2:40 a.m. ET on June 21 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati,” MLB.com reported on Sunday. ESPN in the U.S. also projected Ryu to start for Toronto on Nov. 21.바카라사이트
The Toronto starting rotation has been solidified in the second half of the season, starting with Kevin Gausman, followed by Jose Berrios, Chris Bassett, Hyun-jin Ryu and Yusei Kikuchi. Last season’s ace, Alec Manoa, was sent down to Triple-A on Dec. 12, but it’s hard to feel a void.
The return of veteran left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin is a big boost. In his last start against the Chicago Cubs, he snapped the team’s three-game losing streak. He lowered his ERA from 4.00 to 2.57.
After undergoing ligament reconstruction surgery on his left elbow on June 19 last year, Ryu made his comeback against the Baltimore Orioles on June 2 after a long rehabilitation period. In his first start back in the big leagues, Ryu took the loss after giving up four runs on nine hits in five innings.
In his second start, on Aug. 8 against the Cleveland Indians, he pitched a no-hitter until the fourth inning, when he was hit on the inside of his right knee by a pitch.
Fortunately, further examination revealed a simple bruise, and Ryu returned to the mound against the Chicago Cubs as scheduled, pitching five innings of two-hit ball with two walks and three strikeouts, earning his first win in three games. It was his first win in 444 days since May 27 against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Rays may not be able to win the AL East, but they are in third place in the wild card race, two games out of fourth. A postseason berth is still possible if they keep up their momentum.
Jordan Romano ⓒ AP=News
The Jays also got their closer back. On Saturday, Toronto activated Jordan Romano from the 15-day disabled list and sent reliever Nate Pearson down to Triple-A. Romano is coming off three straight 20-save seasons in 2021 and had 28 saves with a 2.79 ERA before his return.
Romano, who hadn’t pitched since May 29 due to back soreness, made his return on June 16 against the Phillies. In front of his home fans, Romano struck out Bryce Harper and Giancarlo Castellanos in succession in the ninth inning to earn his 29th save of the season. Japanese pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, who has been on a roll of late, earned the win with six innings of four-hit ball, striking out seven and allowing one run.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati, who Ryu will face on April 21, is 63-59 on the season, three games behind the NL Central division-leading Milwaukee Brewers for second place. The Reds are tied for third in the NL wild-card race and have a legitimate shot at a postseason berth. Ryu has fond memories of his start against Cincinnati last May, when he threw six shutout innings of one-hit ball.
Opposing Ryu will be Hunter Green, a right-handed hard-throwing pitcher who is returning from the disabled list. Green, who made his big league debut last year, has a fastball that sits over 100 mph and is 2-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 14 starts this season.
Article courtesy of The Korea Times