Manager Lee Beom-ho's candid confession: "Nail threw only 57 pitches, making the decision not to start him in Game 4 extremely difficult → Yang Hyeon-jong waited on the bench; I am grateful for his understanding" [PO4 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The KIA Tigers, backed into a corner, threw down their ace card by deploying "No. 1 starter" James Nail (33). Simultaneously, the "great pitcher" Yang Hyeon-jong (38), who had been absent throughout the fall baseball season, finally completed his preparations to take the mound. Manager Lee Beom-ho (45) of KIA also provided a detailed explanation along with candid reasons for this decision.

KIA will face Samsung in Game 4 of the 2026 KBO Playoffs at 6:30 p.m. on the 30th. In a must-win Game 4, KIA announced Nail as their starting pitcher, while Samsung named Chris Fiddick.

One of the biggest topics regarding the KIA pitching staff in this postseason was whether Yang Hyeon-jong would take the mound. Yang Hyeon-jong had not appeared in a single game from the Junior Playoffs up until that day. Even as the opposing team, Samsung, deployed Won Tae-in to the bullpen and waged an all-out effort, Yang Hyeon-jong remained strictly in a state of "closed for business."

The lack of a starting opportunity in the Junior Playoffs was partly due to the smooth rotation. Nail in Game 1 against the LG Twins, Adam Ottavino in Game 2, and Keisuke Hirakawa in Game 3 all pitched brilliantly in succession. As KIA won three consecutive games to end the series early, it never came time for fourth starter Yang Hyeon-jong to pitch. In the Playoffs as well, with Nail, Ottavino, and Hirakawa taking turns as starters, Yang Hyeon-jong's appearance continued to be pushed back.

According to the original four-man rotation schedule, Yang Hyeon-jong was the likely starter for Game 4 on that day. However, Manager Lee Beom-ho chose Nail, who had taken a three-day rest.

In a meeting with reporters ahead of Game 4, Manager Lee Beom-ho began by saying, "(Yang) Hyeon-jong's condition is very good because he has rested for a long time. I originally considered him the fourth starter, and there was no problem with putting Hyeon-jong in as the starter in a desperate situation."

However, the flow of Game 1 complicated the manager's mind. This was because Nail had to leave the mound after throwing only 57 pitches in Game 1 due to a headshot ejection.

The manager revealed, "Our first priority is playing to win," adding, "Nail, our No. 1 starter, threw 57 pitches, so deciding not to use him in Game 4 was an extremely difficult choice." He continued, "In a situation where we were pushed to the final game, I could not end the series without trying Nail. I spoke with Hyeon-jong, and he showed consideration by saying that 'the team winning is the top priority,' for which I am grateful."

Ultimately, KIA decided on an unconventional "all-out effort" strategy featuring their one-two punch, placing No. 1 starter Nail at the forefront and keeping Yang Hyeon-jong ready in the bullpen. Manager Lee Beom-ho stated, "Since Nail is pitching after a three-day rest, if we see any decline in his command or velocity, I plan to bring in Yang Hyeon-jong immediately, even before three innings." He added, "If things get shaky early on, I will have Hyeon-jong and (Kim) Tae-hyung ready. If we lose today, there is no tomorrow. We will pour everything out to win," vowing victory.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original