'Cho Hyung-woo, Jo Byung-hyun, Noh Gyeong-eun, and Kim Min all rest' SSG's strong second-half comeback: Management as important as performance... Changes to starting lineup [Incheon field report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Even the starting catcher and the trio of the winning bullpen are all taking a break. SSG Landers manager Lee Sung-yong (55) has publicly announced their rest.

Ahead of the 12th match of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League against the Doosan Bears, to be held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 30th, manager Lee Sung-yong told reporters, "Cho Hyung-woo is resting for management purposes," and added, "Jo Byung-hyun, Noh Gyeong-eun, and Kim Min have all made two consecutive starts, so they will also rest."

SSG set its starting lineup in the following order: Jeong Jun-jae (second baseman), Park Sung-han (shortstop), Bly Maddox (left fielder), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Jeon Ui-san (first baseman), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Han Yu-seom (right fielder), Ahn Sang-hyun (third baseman), and Lee Ji-young (catcher). Thomas Hatch will make the starting appearance.

After collapsing to ninth place in the first half due to a crumbling starting rotation, SSG has become an entirely different team in the second half. The starting rotation has fully recovered, and there has not been a single instance of a starter being pulled early in 12 games. While Quality Starts (QS—six or more innings pitched by a starter with three or fewer earned runs allowed) occurred only 10 times in the first half, they have already been achieved six times so far.

Naturally, results are following suit. With a record of 6 wins, 5 losses, and 1 tie, SSG boasts a winning percentage above .500, ranking fifth in the second half. Since breaking their four-game losing streak on the 22nd, they have gone 7 games with 5 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie, posting the most dominant performance.

Nevertheless, it is not yet a situation where they can easily claim a spot in the postseason. With 92 games played, their record stands at 33 wins, 56 losses, and 3 ties, resulting in a win-loss margin of -20.

This is precisely why they are adopting a stance of not rushing. Catcher Cho Hyung-woo, who has been leading the pitching staff's strong performances with recently adjusted pitch combinations, has been given rest. "He was excluded for management reasons. He had been playing at full intensity, so after discussing with the battery coach, we plan to let him rest once or twice this week," Lee said. "Lee Ji-young is also in good condition and balance."

The manager further stated that he would also give rest to the trio of the winning bullpen. This does not mean they are abandoning games. Hatch also secured a victory by achieving his first QS since rejoining the team in a recent game. With opposing ace Choi Min-seok on the mound, Hatch's pitching is crucial for securing the win.

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*This content was translated by AI.