Keon Chang-mo won KO against the Major Leaguer in 'Keon Chang-mo is a God', and 145km was enough for 'native pride'

*This content was translated by AI.

The only native starting pitcher in the opening game kept his pride. Koo Chang-mo (29, NC Dinos) also boasted a remarkable pitch.

Koo Chang-mo started the opening game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League against the Doosan Bears at Changwon NC Park on the 28th and threw 87 pitches in five innings, giving two hits, one walk, and three strikeouts.

Koo Chang-mo, the only domestic starter in all 10 teams, showed off how powerful he is if he is supported by his health.

In recent years, it has been difficult to find a domestic starter for the opening game itself. It was also the second time in 12 years at NC since Lee Jae-hak, who took the mound against the Gwangju KIA Tigers in 2014.

fastball's maximum speed was 145km/h, which was not threatening at all in a situation where some pitchers were throwing balls close to 160km/h, but he pitched well that showed how much power he could exert on batters if his ball control and breaking balls were supported.

From the top of the first inning, he gave up a walk to Jung Soo-bin after a nine-pitch game, but he started off in a good mood by striking out a rookie with a bold body game to Daz Cameron, and he also got a hit in the second inning, but finished without much crisis.

Koo Chang-mo, who recorded three outs in the third inning with a pitch that poked every corner, finished the inning by hitting Yang Eui-ji, Kang Seung-ho and Yang Seok-hwan in order after starting with a double thrown to Cameron, the first batter in the fourth inning.

Koo Chang-mo, who also took the mound in the fifth inning, finished the inning with three outs once again. It was an impeccable pitch except that the number of pitches increased more than expected due to Doosan hitters who played a persistent game. I was able to confirm the amazing performance of the game.

Koo Chang-mo, who handed the ball to bullpen pitcher Bae Jae-hwan from the top of the sixth inning when his team led 3-0, finished four innings without losing a point, eventually winning the opening game.

It was only one game, but it was a more applaudable result compared to the collapse of numerous pitchers in the opening game. Doosan starter Chris Flexen, who immediately returned to the KBO League after going through the Major League, was shaken by two hits (one homer) with six strikeouts and two runs in four innings, and it was Koo Chang-mo's pitch that raised expectations even more as Yoni Chirinos (six runs in one inning) and SSG Landers Mitch White (five runs in four innings) who led the LG Twins to win the championship collapsed.

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*This content was translated by AI.