'Former ace' manager also thrilled by big match: "A matchup of Korea's top pitchers will be exciting"

*This content was translated by AI.

Rain that fell over Jamsil made possible a historic big match between two native ace pitchers born in 1999. With the game originally scheduled for the 28th postponed due to rain, the first-ever regular-season matchup between Doosan Bears' Kwak Bin (27) and Kiwoom Heroes' An Woo-jin (27) on the 29th was confirmed, leaving Doosan manager Kim Won-hyung (54) unable to hide his anticipation.

In an interview with reporters at Jamsil Stadium ahead of the Kiwoom game on the 29th, Manager Kim Won-hyung said about this matchup, "It has naturally become a picture where two of Korea's top right-handed pitchers face off," and added, "Both players are not just throwing fast; they are completing everything a pitcher should have, so I think this will be a very exciting game."

This starting matchup between the two players, who were drafted in the first round together in 2018 and are 'best friends,' is the first in regular-season history. It marks their first true head-to-head battle since their Wild Card playoff Game 1 clash five years ago.

Regarding Kwak Bin's growth this season, where he has served as Doosan's de facto 'ace' with a record of 10 wins and 5 losses, an ERA of 2.33, and 161 strikeouts, Manager Kim expressed a unique perspective. The manager stated, "He didn't suddenly become good," noting that "the time he spent feeling and reflecting on plateaus, ups and downs, and injuries over the eight years since entering professional baseball is now appearing as his current skill level and stability."

The conversation naturally turned to the manager's own rivalry during his playing days. Manager Kim Won-hyung, who recorded 134 wins with an ERA of 3.92 in 545 games during his career, said, "I also felt admiration and stimulation watching outstanding pitchers like commentator Jung Min-cheol or Lotte Giants' Kim Tae-hyung during my playing days, wishing I could throw as well," but drew a line by adding, "However, since Kwak Bin is an ace who must continue to play for the national team in the future, managing his pitch count is important."

He continued, "We cannot force a starting pitcher into long innings just because it's a big match and make them tire themselves out," emphasizing that "we will maintain a stable operation aimed at team victory by keeping his pitch count around 100 as per the usual rotation."

Regarding the rotation changes due to the rain cancellation on the previous day (the 28th), he also explained, "Park Shin-ji will start again in the next turn. Foreign pitcher Benjamin has undergone a checkup and is reported to have improved from his injury; he has started catch practice and is preparing for bullpen pitching next week."

Meanwhile, Doosan set their starting lineup against An Woo-jin as follows: Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Ahn Jae-seok (third baseman), Park Jun-soon (second baseman), Yang Eui-ji (designated hitter), Kim Min-seok (left fielder), Severino (first baseman), Jung Soobin (center fielder), Kim Daehun (right fielder), and Yoon Joon-ho (catcher).

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*This content was translated by AI.