Replacement or Survival... '5-Inning Limit Theory' Davidson, Survival Match Against KIA

【Busan=Jeon Sang-il Reporter】 Lotte Giants foreign pitcher Tucker Davidson (28) is on the edge. There is no room to retreat. The second match of the three-game series against KIA Tigers on August 6 at Sajik Stadium in Busan is literally a 'survival game' for Davidson.
Lotte lost 0-2 in the first game of the series on the 5th, even with ace Alec Gamboa on the mound. Gamboa pitched strongly, allowing only 2 runs until 2 outs in the 7th inning, but the batting lineup was tightly held by KIA's James Nail. The series loss leads to a reduction in the gap with 4th place KIA. This is why the importance of the second game is extremely highlighted. The responsibility that starting pitcher Davidson must bear is by no means small.
Currently, Davidson's season record is 21 games, 9 wins, 5 losses, and an ERA of 3.76. At first glance, it's not enough to discuss dismissal. The quality start is also decent at 10 times. However, Davidson's ERA of 3.76 is only 17th in the league. The WHIP is also high at 1.40 for a foreign starter. Most importantly, Davidson tends to struggle to get past the 5th inning. For Lotte, which has a thin bullpen, this is the biggest problem. 
Manager Kim Tae-hyung knows this too. At a time when the bullpen's stamina is exhausted, what is expected from a foreign starter is 'inning digestibility'. While Gamboa is performing that role perfectly, Davidson falters at every critical moment. As a 'struggling' pitcher for 5 innings, his utility in short-term games is also questionable.
In fact, Davidson has appeared in 3 games against KIA this season, recording 16⅔ innings, 8 runs, and an ERA of 4.32. He consistently held for 5 innings but failed to leave a strong impression at crucial moments. 
Lotte is currently in fierce competition for 3rd place. Of course, there is enough potential to contribute to maintaining 3rd place during the remaining season. This is because domestic starters like Lee Min-seok, Park Se-woong, and Na Kyun-an are gaining strength.
However, what Lotte aims for is not just the top 5. Lotte is looking beyond the postseason for the first time in 8 years, aiming for a direct playoff berth and a spot in the Korean Series. At this point, the prowess of the 1st and 2nd starters, which determines the success or failure of short-term games, is required. Davidson is not meeting those expectations.
Competitor teams have already moved quickly. LG released Hernandez and brought in Tolhurst, KT sorted out Cuevas and brought in Murphy. The deadline for registering foreign players for the postseason is August 15. There is not much time left for choices.


It is uncertain whether Lotte can bring in a pitcher to replace Davidson. The market is narrow, and time is short. They may take on risks by forcibly acquiring a 'second-best' pitcher. On the other hand, Davidson is a 'decent card' that consistently handles 5 innings. It's ambiguous, but not bad. That's why the decision is more difficult.
Ultimately, the remaining factor is performance. If Davidson delivers another disappointing pitch against KIA, the possibility of taking a risk cannot be ruled out. Like Alec Gamboa, who showed more than filling Barnes' vacancy, they might expect another 'divine move'. They have already been consistently listing up. 
The voices of Lotte fans are also growing. Having already experienced severe slump in June (ERA of 7.71 in 4 games), he continued a disappointing trend in July with an ERA of 4.05 in 5 games. 
August 6. It could be the most important day of the season for Davidson. His every pitch and out count will stand at the crossroads of foreign player survival competition. 
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter