"Wang Yencheng's pitching was like a nuclear explosion." With an ERA of 8.10 in September, now 'joining the Taiwan team'... Will he face Korea after five days of rest?

*This content was translated by AI.

Wang Yencheng (25, Hanwha Eagles), ace of the Taiwan national baseball team, delivered a disappointing performance in his final match ahead of qualification for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Taiwanese media Nownews reported on the 15th that "Wang Yencheng's last KBO League game before the Asian Games was like a 'nuclear explosion'."

On the 15th, Wang Yencheng started against KT Wiz at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, throwing 92 pitches over four innings. He allowed six hits (including one home run), five walks/strikeouts, three strikeouts, and five earned runs, taking his sixth loss of the season (11 wins). His ERA jumped from 3.75 to 3.97.

In the first inning, Wang Yencheng issued a walk to leadoff batter Choi Won-jun with a pitch that was so far off the plate the catcher could not handle it. He also hit Kim Min-hyuk with a pitch on the very first throw. Neither his fastball nor his breaking pitches were effective.

With one out and bases loaded, he gave up a double to center-right field for one run. Another sacrifice fly followed. It was fortunate that Han Ji-yoon made a home run-saving play to limit further damage.

He navigated the second inning well but surrendered a solo home run to Ahn Hyun-min in the third over the right-center field fence. He also struggled against the lower part of the lineup. After issuing a walk to seventh batter Heo Kyung-min, he allowed a two-run triple that cleared the center fielder's head with two outs and runners on first and second to Han Seung-taek. He retired four batters in the fourth but exceeded 90 pitches. Ultimately, he was replaced by Lee Min-woo in the top of the fifth when the team trailed 0-5. With no comeback possible, Hanwha suffered a crushing 3-13 defeat, marking their final game before the Asian Games as a loss.

Wang Yencheng has been Hanwha's most reliable pitcher this season. He joined the team for $100,000 (approximately 137 million won) under the Asia quota but consistently worked through the rotation. He led the team in wins and innings pitched (133⅔ innings).

Based on this performance, he was selected for the Taiwan national team for the Asian Games, but his recent slump has raised concerns. In three games played in September over 13⅓ innings, he allowed 12 runs, posting an ERA of 8.10. The fact that he issued 11 walks and hit batters adds to the worry.

Nownews stated, "In September, he failed to pitch five or more innings twice, losing both times to KT Wiz," and added, "He showed a performance below expectations in his final game before the Asian Games."

Both Korea and Taiwan are closely watching Wang Yencheng's situation. Taiwan will play group stage matches against South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand in Group B. Both nations aiming for the championship must overcome each other to achieve their goals, with a major matchup scheduled for the first group game on the 21st.

The key question is whether Wang Yencheng will take the mound. After his appearance against LG Twins on the 9th (six innings, one run, win), he faced KT on the 15th. If he pitches again against Korea on the 21st, he can maintain a five-day rest routine. His deep familiarity with Korean batters is also an advantage.

However, the burden of traveling to a different venue and his recent poor form have created anxiety for the Taiwan national team. Since Wang Yencheng knows Korean batters well, Korea likely has more information on him than any other Taiwanese pitcher.

Nevertheless, expectations for Wang Yencheng remain high in Taiwan. Nownews noted that "he showed a performance below expectations in his final game before the Asian Games," but also stated, "Wang Yencheng remains a potential opponent that South Korea must guard against most closely at the Asian Games."

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*This content was translated by AI.