DAEJEON, Oct. 30 — High-stakes postseason games are a challenge for baseball players, who often aspire to treat them like any other match. This sentiment is especially relevant for Hanwha Eagles starting pitcher Ryan Weiss as he prepares for Game 4 of the Korean Series against the LG Twins, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark.
Currently, the Twins hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, but the Eagles are riding high after a substantial comeback, scoring six runs in the eighth inning to clinch a 7-3 victory in Game 3. Weiss, tasked with evening the series, has a tall order ahead of him as only one team, the 2013 Samsung Lions, has successfully overcome a 3-1 deficit to claim the Korean Series title.
In an interview before their dramatic win, Weiss shared his focus on maintaining a routine and treating the game as he would any other, stating, “The more you treat it like it’s the Korean Series, the harder it is to execute your pitches and execute at-bats.” He emphasized the importance of trust—both in his process and the team’s capabilities. Despite trailing in the series, his confidence remains unwavering.
This marks Weiss’ third appearance in his inaugural KBO postseason, having joined the Eagles midseason during the previous year when they fell short of playoff contention. This season, he has played a key role in helping the Eagles achieve the second-best regular season record, only below the Twins, and led them to a five-game victory against the Samsung Lions in the previous round.
In Game 2 of the championship series, Weiss faced challenges, allowing five earned runs over four innings. However, he rebounded in Game 5, coming on in relief and throwing four scoreless innings, securing a save during the series-clinching game against Samsung.
Weiss expressed his enjoyment of the postseason experience, particularly praising the fans: “Our fans showed up in huge numbers for that fifth game against Samsung, and the atmosphere was electric.”
Throughout the regular season, Weiss demonstrated strong performance against the Twins, boasting a 1-0 record and a 2.25 ERA over two starts, with nine strikeouts in 12 innings. Notably, he allowed two home runs, but he remains cautious about their lineup. “They’re a good team, man. I think they’re better now than they were early on in the season,” he acknowledged.
As Game 4 approaches, both Weiss and the Eagles are optimistic about seizing the momentum and fighting to bring the series back to even. The spirit of competition is alive, reflecting the tenacity of a team determined to stay in the fight for the championship.