"You go first, 10 wins" — The latest in history; all three are "cursed by the number nine" → Olle's third attempt today (28th)

*This content was translated by AI.

As a result, the first pitcher to reach 10 wins this season has arrived at the latest date in history.

In the race for the KBO League's 2026 wins leader through the first half, Olle (32, KIA Tigers), Choi Min-seok (20, Doosan Bears), and Im Chan-gyu (34, LG Twins) all stood tied at nine wins. However, each of these three pitchers failed to add a win in both of their second-half appearances. It seemed as if they were passing the buck to one another with the words "You go first, 10 wins."

The first of the three to attempt reaching 10 wins was Olle. He took the mound in the second-half opener on the 16th against SSG Landers but did not complete five innings (4⅓ innings, three earned runs) and suffered a loss. On the 22nd against Hanwha Eagles, he again gave up four runs over five innings and became the losing pitcher.

Choi Min-seok pitched six scoreless innings in his game against NC Dinos on the 17th, but the bullpen allowed an equalizer in the bottom of the ninth inning, leaving the result without a win or loss for him. Then, on the 24th against Samsung Lions, he endured his worst outing of the season — two and two-thirds innings with ten runs allowed (four earned) — and took the loss.

Im Chan-gyu also fell into a losing streak after struggling in his appearances: five runs over four innings against KT Wiz on the 18th, and seven runs over four innings against Hanwha on the 24th.

This means that for the first time in the 45th-year history of the KBO League, a pitcher will reach 10 wins at the latest date ever recorded. Although there have been variations each year in opening dates and team game schedules, the previous record for the latest 10-win milestone was July 25, when Les (then with Doosan) and Bae Young-soo (then with Samsung) reached it. Even in 2020, when the regular season began as early as May 5 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alcantara (then with Doosan) had already reached 10 wins by July 21.

While these three pitchers were stuck in their "cursed nine-win" streak, a new competitor emerged. Kwak Bin (27, Doosan) recorded his ninth win of the season with six scoreless innings against Samsung on the 26th, joining the shared lead in the wins race.

All four pitchers still have a chance. Olle will start first against Daegu Samsung on the 28th and aim once again for 10 wins. It remains to be seen whether his third attempt at "securing 10 wins first" will succeed.

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*This content was translated by AI.