Can the Samsung Lions wipe away the tears this time around? Albert “Sukrai” Suarez, 34, is looking for his second win in three seasons.
Samsung will open the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League against SSG Landers at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 30th. After escaping a three-game losing streak with a win in the final game of a three-game series against the KT Wiz last weekend, Samsung will look to rebound against second-place SSG and gain a foothold in the mid-table.
Samsung will send Suarez to the mound today. In eight appearances this season, Suarez has five quality starts (six or more innings and three or fewer earned runs), a 3.94 ERA (21 earned runs in 48 innings), and a 1.44 WHIP. He has six games with six or more innings pitched, and in his last five starts, he has gone six innings or more.
After a brief setback on April 17 when he allowed six runs in six innings against the KIA Tigers, Suarez has four quality starts in his last five games. He also has two no-decision quality starts (7 innings, 3 earned runs or less). Most recently, he tossed a six-inning no-hitter against the Doosan Bears on April 24.
However, Suarez still has one win on the season. Since his seven-inning no-hitter against the Kiwoom Heroes on April 4, he has taken two losses in three games. Both the Hanwha Eagles on the 11th and Doosan on the 24th failed to capitalize on the batting order. The unwelcome label of “Sucrai” (Suarez + cry) is following him from last year.
However, Suarez has always done his part by supporting his teammates. Last year, Suarez put a note in Korean on his locker that read, “Don’t say sorry, do better,” in response to teammates who felt bad about not sharing in his victory. Even when his own victory was blown out of proportion, he was genuinely happy for his team’s late winner. Now it’s time for his teammates to repay his faith and encouragement.스포츠토토
Suarez had a solid performance against SSG last year, going 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA in five appearances. It will be interesting to see if he can continue his good form from last year in the first matchup of the season. Starting for SSG is Kirk McCarty, who will also be facing Samsung for the first time this season. It will be interesting to see if the Samsung bats and bullpen can wipe away Suarez’s tears against the second-place SSG.