Roaring in the humid heat, Lions extend their lead

With hot and humid weather, stamina is critical for athletes. Even more energy will be needed beginning this week because Korea’s pro baseballers will now play three two-game series per week, adding extra travel time to their schedules. Up to this point in the season, teams have played two three-game series a week.

The defending champion Samsung Lions last week proved why they sit at the top of the league. Entering the week, the Lions were only one match ahead of the Doosan Bears and 1.5 up on the No. 3 NC Dinos. With a series against both those teams last week, the Lions roared, sweeping the Dinos and going 2-1 against the Bears, with their only loss coming on Sunday. When the dust settled, the Lions had padded their lead to four games; the Bears also went 1-2 against their other opponents, the Hanhwa Eagles.

The Lions start the week by hosting the bottom-ranked KT Wiz in Suwon, Gyeonggi, and then travel to their second hometown, Pohang, North Gyeongsang, to host the SK Wyverns. The team then meets the Nexen Heroes this weekend.

Even at 5-1, the Lions were not the hottest team last week. The Kia Tigers swept all six of their games against the Wyverns and Eagles. That was the Tigers’ second weekly sweep this season after they romped through the season’s opening week. The Tigers will meet the Heroes, Wiz and Dinos this week.

After being swept by the Tigers, the Eagles are now on the verge of losing their hold on fifth place - the Wyverns and Tigers are both only half a game behind them.

BY JOO KYUNG-DON [joo.kyungdon@joongang.co.kr]