* Translated by AI

Starnews

Now, the strongest team in the KBO is Kiwoom! With a recent record of 6 wins and 1 loss, they proudly hold the top spot, allowing just 8 runs in 6 games—a remarkable feat. This week, they face Lotte and Doosan, who are positioned directly above and below them in the standings.

Published:

Shin Hwasup

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom players celebrate with a Hail Mary after defeating Samsung on the 26th. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
Kiwoom players celebrate with a Hail Mary after defeating Samsung on the 26th. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
/Source=KBO
/Source=KBO

Who is the strongest team in the KBO League? It is neither KT Wiz, which holds the top spot in overall win percentage, nor LG Twins, which ranks second.

It is Kiwoom Heroes. Based on their recent 7-game record, Kiwoom has achieved the highest win percentage among all 10 teams.

Starting with a victory over KT Wiz on the 19th, Kiwoom won three consecutive games before suffering one loss. They then swept all three home games against Samsung over the weekend, posting an impressive 6-1 record. This performance surpasses both LG and SSG Landers, who recorded 5 wins and 2 losses during the same period. Compared to their previous 9-game stretch (the 8th–18), where they managed only 1 win and 8 losses, Kiwoom has transformed into an entirely different team.

Their overall standing has also climbed to ninth place. They have pulled ahead of tenth-place Lotte Giants by two games and trail the co-seventh-place Hanwha Eagles and Doosan Bears by just 0.5 games.

Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin. /Photo=OSEN
Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin. /Photo=OSEN
/Source=KBO
/Source=KBO

This success was not due to chance or luck. Kiwoom has demonstrated its qualification as the strongest team through various metrics, particularly in pitching.

Over the past 7 games, Kiwoom allowed only 20 runs, the fewest among all teams, and posted the lowest ERA (2.43). Excluding the 12th runs surrendered to NC Dinos on the 23rd, they allowed just 8 runs across 6 games, including two shutouts.

Their starting pitcher ERA (2.29) and number of starting wins (4) both rank first. This achievement is even more impressive given that injuries to two foreign starters, including Wiles, forced the team to rely on three replacement starters last week. Oh Seok-ju made his first start of the season, while Kim Yeon-ju and Park Jun-hyun made their first appearances of the year.

Kiwoom's Park Jun-hyun pitches against Samsung on the 26th. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
Kiwoom's Park Jun-hyun pitches against Samsung on the 26th. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung

Strong performances by Ha Young-min and Alcantara, contributions from An Woo-jin and Park Jun-hyun, and the active role of Bae Dong-hyun also played a significant part. Additionally, Yuto, who joined as the new closer under the Asia quota, recorded four saves in a single week.

When asked about his performance at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 23rd, Yuto said, "I have adapted to the environment, but regaining confidence in my fastball (topping out at 154 km/h) has been crucial. Initially, I relied heavily on breaking balls, but now I have shifted my style to focus on aggressive pitching with my fastball."

Kiwoom pitcher Yuto smiles after closing out the Samsung game on the 26th with a victory. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung
Kiwoom pitcher Yuto smiles after closing out the Samsung game on the 26th with a victory. /Photo=Chief correspondent Kim Jin-kyung

In the lineup, Kim Ji-seok (batting average 0.368), Im Ji-yeol (0.318), and An Chi-hong (0.308) showed excellent form over the 7th-game span. Brooks also led the team with 4 RBIs during this period. Notably, the decisive hits in 6 games came from different batters, highlighting the balanced contributions of the entire lineup.

Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin stated, "Although many players were sidelined due to injuries, the remaining roster members showed strong determination, which led to these positive results."

Kiwoom's opponents this week coincidentally include the teams directly above and below them in the standings. They will play a three-game series against Lotte in Busan during the week and return to their home field at Gocheok to face Doosan over the weekend. Depending on the outcomes of these matchups, the standings in the lower half of the table could shift significantly, drawing attention comparable to that of the top-tier teams.

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*This content was translated by AI.

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