"I couldn't think of a promise when I didn't win"" LG is confidently trying to win 2 consecutive games... Koo Chang-mo will start the KBO's only native opener [synthesis]

*This content was translated by AI.

All starting pitchers for the opening game of the 2026 KBO League have been revealed. The coaches bragged about their talk, and the representative players made unique pledges to win.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) held the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Media Day at Lotte Hotel World in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 26th. The KBO League will enter 144 games on the 28th, starting with the LG Twins-KT Wiz in Jamsil, Seoul, the Samsung Lions-Lotte Giants in Daegu, the SSG Landers-KIA Tigers in Incheon, the Hanwha Eagles-Kiwoom Heroes in Daejeon, and the NC Dinos-Doosan Bears in Changwon.

The starting matchup for the opening game has also been confirmed. In Jamsil, it consists of Yonny Chirinos (LG) and Matt Sauer (KT), Daegu Ariel Furado (Samsung) and Elvin Hernandez (Lotte), Incheon Mitch White (SSG)-James Nail (KIA), Daejeon Wilkel Hernandez (Hanwha)-Raul Alcantara (Kiwoom), Changwon Koo Chang-mo (NC)-Chris Flexen (Doosan).

The KBO League, which has exceeded 10 million spectators for the second consecutive year, is expected to compete in hot rankings again this year. Samsung, which recruited defending champions LG and Choi Hyung-woo, is considered the second best. LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said, "I won the title in 2025 and have prepared hard with the players until the spring camp with my second consecutive goal from December. There will be difficult situations and good times this season. If fans give us a little warmer encouragement in times of difficulty, we will be able to win two consecutive games this season by gaining strength. I will do my best in every game so that I can smile at the end," he said.

Samsung manager Park Jin-man said, "We will play with strong determination to win this season. I hope Samsung fans will also support us to win the championship," he said.

The race for the fifth round is a mixed race. Candidates include Hanwha, the runner-up team last year, KT, which newly joined eight players, KIA, which Kim Do-young returned, NC, which experienced a miraculous fall baseball with nine consecutive wins last year, and SSG with a strong back door.

Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon said, "I hope the batter will cheer up this year if we win a lot of last year's pitching." Please support me a lot from the opening game and I will play baseball games coolly this year," he said with strength. SSG coach Lee Soo-yong said, "We came in third confidently last season, breaking all experts' expectations. "There was a regret in the postseason, but I will do my best to stay the longest and the end of this season," he said.

NC manager Lee Ho-joon said, "At the end of last season, we won nine consecutive games, showing the image of the original team. In the spring camp, this point was focused on making sure the players were united. "If we catch the team color from the beginning of 2026 as a one-team rather than individual skills, we will certainly have good results," he said.

KT manager Lee Kang-chul said, "Our catch phrase this year is 'Big Inning'. I will always play fun games and prepare to laugh when I go home," he said with a smile.

Lotte, KIA, and Doosan, which formed the bottom ranks last year, are aiming to recover their honor. Lotte ranked first in the exhibition game despite unfortunate events in the spring camp. Lotte is aiming for its first fall baseball in nine years, with a strong foreign player's one-two punch at the forefront. Coach Kim Tae-hyung showed off his talk, saying, "Last year, early this year, I've been through everything in my life."

At the same time, I thought, "That's it, and the players have become a lot stronger." "I showed good performance in the exhibition game and I will take it all season and go to autumn baseball for sure," he stressed.

After winning the Korean Series in 2024, KIA suffered an all-time fall to eighth place last year. This year, Kim Do-young, who returned healthy, is aiming for the top again. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho said, "It is a team that has experienced both glory and frustration over the past two years. In 2026, I will forget everything and make a new team and make a good season to achieve better results," he said.

Doosan, which experienced ninth place again in three years, gave strength to its coaches first. Doosan, which has returned to ace Flexen, is one of the dark horses that will threaten the fifth round this year. Doosan manager Kim Won-hyung said, "I returned to the field for the first time in two years, and I instilled a firm sense of goal from the closing camp. I really want to get the impression of winning this season so that Doosan can rebuild its prestigious family," he said.

The lowest-ranked Kiwoom for the third consecutive year is aiming for the last place. Kiwoom coach Seol Jong-jin said, "I want to overcome my disappointment last year and create a new team this season. I prepared a lot, too. I will do my best to win more games," he said.

There was also a victory pledge, the highlight of Media Day. While many clubs pledged fan festivals through the rental of cafes and restaurants, young players boasted their talk.

KT Ahn Hyun-min said, "After the season, I hope to invite fans to the baseball stadium and organize a program and proceed in the form of a sports day. "If I go to autumn baseball, I will prepare time for weight training with the players who work out," he said. Hanwha Moon Hyun-bin said, "We will host fun YouTube contents with Eagles TV, the No. 1 YouTube subscriber of the KBO club. You will know what to do by subscribing to Eagles TV," he appealed.

Veteran players also talked a lot. Lotte's Jeon Jun-woo was applauded for saying, "I want the players to become daily guides and tour the team, and come back to the ballpark to finish with a barbecue party." Samsung's Kang Min-ho also burst into laughter, saying, "I think it's the right time to win this year, so I'll invite Everland to practice a daily date with the players."

LG's pledge to win for the second consecutive year was the highlight. Captain Park Hae-min first said, "I didn't think of a pledge when I didn't win because I was only looking at the championship. "Chan-gyu, who is witty, will do it." Lim Chan-kyu, who took over, said, "I won last year and had a beer party with Gonjiam BBQ Party general manager, but this year is the last time for Jamsil Baseball Stadium, so you can want a beer party in Jamsil even if it's cold." Then, he said, "I will use Cha Myung-seok's personal money to share a large amount of whiskey and champagne with him. The general manager is using his own money, but I don't think he will join the players. I'll give you an answer through L-Tube," he said, creating a sea of laughter.

◆ Jamsil Baseball Stadium

- KT: Matt Sauer

- LG: Yoni Chirinos

◆ Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark

- Kiwoom: Raul Alcantara

- Hanwha: Wilkel Hernandez

◆ Daegu Samsung Lions Park

- Lotte : Elvin Hernandez

- Samsung : Ariel Furado

◆ Incheon SSG Landers Field

- KIA: James Nail

- SSG: Mitch White

◆ Changwon NC Park

- Doosan: Chris Flexen

- NC: Koo Chang-mo

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*This content was translated by AI.