Hyun-Jin Ryu the latest star from Korea, will be taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they get ready to face the San Francisco Giants in a little N.L. West action in the first week of baseball. Find out why Ryu can succeed in his MLB debut.
Ryu closed out the 2013 Spring Training in great fashion. He allowed just 3 ER in his final 16.2 innings pitched for an ERA under 2.00 while striking out 15 batters. Ryu is getting the ball at almost a perfect time as the Giants, the defending 2012 World Series Champions, seem to be scuffling. They lost yesterday 0-4 as they were shut down by Clayton Kershaw.
The Giants probably did heavy scouting of this guy as they get ready to play their second game of the season against a pitcher they have never seen before. Ryu will admit, he's not familiar with them either. "As much as they don't know me, I don't know them. So it's going to be a two-way street for me to figure them out at the same time they are figuring me out, said Ryu.
Pitchers usually get the advantage when they are unfamiliar to hitters. Though a performance like Kershaw's shutout is unlikely, Ryu could have his share of success as he'll attempt to quiet the Giants lineup featuring some of the scrappiest players like Angel Paga, Marco Scutaro and Pablo Sandoval. Not to mention, he'll also be facing the 2012 MVP and future of MLB, Buster Posey.
Ask the New York Yankees, the hitter usually has the disavantage when facing a new opponent.
Expect the nerves to kick in. That's usually caused by adrenaline. However, here are my predictions for Ryu's outing as he faces the Giants and Madison Bumgarner.
Predictions: Ryu will have 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K's in his major league debut and will give his team the chance to win after a solid outing.
I wouldn't expect any home runs from Ryu tonight.
