'94 pitches → 3 days rest → 99 pitches → 4 days rest': Lee Kang-cheol truly curious about Fedde, "How will his command be..." [KS2 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Lee Kang-cheol (60), manager of the KT Wiz, showed great interest in the command of Chris Fedde (30), the Samsung Lions' foreign pitcher scheduled to start the second game of the Korea Series.

Ahead of the second game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven) against Samsung, which will be held on the 4th at Suwon KT Wiz Park, Manager Lee Kang-cheol met with reporters and cited the condition of opposing starter Fedde as the biggest turning point in the day's contest.

When asked about the point he is paying the most attention to before the game, Manager Lee candidly shared, "What I am most curious about today is how Fedde's current command will turn out."

Samsung's foreign ace, Fedde, has thrown many pitches throughout the postseason amid a tight schedule. After handling 94 pitches in the first game of the Playoffs against the KIA Tigers on October 26, he threw 99 pitches in the fourth game of the Playoffs after three days of rest. He will take the mound again for this Korea Series second game after resting for four days.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol also noted this point. "This could be a key factor in today's game," Manager Lee said, adding, "The more he pitches continuously, the sharper his primary weapon and breaking balls may come in, but he could also become physically fatigued." He continued, "It will be a battle over whether wild pitches appear when he is tired. In fact, against us, he has been a pitcher who rarely throws wild pitches." He showed a cautious attitude, stating, "Ultimately, the early game is important. It depends on how we attack before the third inning. I think we will have to see once the game starts."

KT's starter facing the opposing ace is underhand pitcher Go Yeong-pyo. Manager Lee said, "As I said yesterday, I hope Go Yeong-pyo pitches well too. He is truly the key to the victory," adding, "Having watched him in training and practice games, his condition did not look bad," showing firm confidence.

Regarding bullpen management, he announced a full mobilization of the pitching staff. Even when asked about Bae Jae-sung, a resource who can move between starting and relief roles, Manager Lee shared his calculations: "We will have to see the flow of the game, but if it is a decisive moment before the fifth inning, we may first deploy a pitcher who can pitch long as a long reliever. On the other hand, if we gain the upper hand in the fifth or sixth inning or later, we will need to immediately activate our go-to bullpen." He also stated that Logan, who appeared in relief in the first game of the Korea Series, would return to the starting rotation.

Meanwhile, he did not hold back praise for Ahn Hyun-min, who is swinging a hot bat on the fall baseball stage and serving as a source of vitality for the lineup. Manager Lee said, "From the opposing team's perspective, he is a difficult batter against whom it is truly hard to compete easily," adding, "While directly driving in runs is important, he is doing an excellent job playing the role of a link connecting the lower and upper parts of the lineup through his on-base ability," giving him a thumbs up.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original