Since returning from the All-Star break, Lin Guanglai has clearly felt the increase in game intensity and pressure, which has inevitably led to some fluctuations and setbacks for him.
Take the number of wins, for example. After returning from the All-Star break and pitching a complete game 3-0 shutout against the Ham Team, achieving his 9th victory of the season and coming just one step away from the unprecedented "10 wins + 10 home runs" achievement, his pace of accumulating honors stalled.
In three consecutive starts, he had two no-decisions and one loss, bringing his midseason pitching record to 9 wins, 3 losses, and 3 no-decisions. Simultaneously, the team's standings also dropped to fourth in the Pacific League due to his decline in performance.
Even though they are only 0.5 games behind the third-place Seibu Lions, and there will still be plenty of opportunities to catch up even if they lose this game, Lin Guanglai does not want to easily give up his 4th loss of the season.
