Ko-Young-pyo-Cuevas-Benjamin-Eum-Sang-baek "I think I can throw about 50 pitches"
Lee Kang-cheol gives a pre-game interview
KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol speaks to the media before the first game of the 2023 KBO Korean Series against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 7.
The Korean Baseball Organization's (KBO) Korean Series (KS) starting rotation has been outlined.
Foreign pitchers William Cuevas and Wes Benjamin will start Games 2 and 3, while Uhm Sang-baek will start Game 4.
"I think the fourth game of the KS will be a bullpen day," KT manager Lee Kang-cheol said ahead of the visiting LG Twins in the first round of the 2023 KBO Series at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on Sunday, adding, "Uhm Sang-baek will go out first rather than excluding (starting resources)."
"If Uhm Sang-baek starts Game 4, the starting pitchers for Games 5, 6, and 7 of the KS can go out normally after five days of rest," he explained.
According to Lee, Cuevas will pitch Games 2 and 6, while Benjamin will pitch Games 3 and 7. Game 1 starter Ko Young-pyo will be available for Game 5 on the 13th after five days of rest.
Game 4 starter Uhm Sang-baek is a surprise.
After ending the regular season early with a broken rib in August, Uhm focused on his recovery and made his first appearance against Cheong Wa Dae on the 27th of last month before the playoffs (PO).
After checking his pitching performance, Lee Kang-cheol realized that he hadn't recovered to his normal level, so he used him in the bullpen for the PO.
However, Uhm showed signs of recovery in the fourth game of the NC and PO on the third day.
"He's not in shape to throw a lot of pitches right now, but he should be able to throw about 50 pitches," Lee said.
"I originally thought about using Uhm Sang-baek (as a starter) for today's game, but then I could only use Benjamin, who is strong in LG, once, so I changed my mind," Lee added.
Lee Yeob-sung, who was expected to start, will play the role of "long relief" behind Uhm Sang-baek.
On this day, Uhm Sang-baek and Lee Je-ho-sung pitched in the bullpen before the game to improve their physical condition.
Lee Kang-cheol answers questions from the media
KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol speaks to the media before their game against the LG Twins in Game 1 of the 2023 KBO Korean Series at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, on Nov. 7.
Meanwhile, KT's starting batting order was Kim Sang-soo (shortstop), Hwang Jae-gyun (third base), Anthony Alford (left field), Park Byung-ho (first base), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Bae Jeong-dae (center field), Moon Sang-chul (designated hitter), Park Kyung-soo (second base), and Cho Yong-ho (left field).
Lee Kang-cheol explained why he chose to start Park instead of Oh Yoon-seok, who has a good batting average, saying, "Ko Young-pyo, who is starting today, is a groundball-inducing pitcher, so I deployed him for stable defense." 토토사이트