"(Won) Tae-in, if you push yourself too hard and collapse, our series is over." Despite the manager's caution, 'Game 5 starter' Won Tae-in goes one step further: "I am ready to wait in the bullpen for Games 6 and 7" [KS4 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"If you push yourself in Game 4 and end up collapsing there, our series will be over too. Think it through carefully."

Those were the words Manager Park Jin-man (50) of the Samsung Lions offered to the "ace with blue blood," Won Tae-in (26). The manager tried to dissuade his pitcher, who was eager to take the mound immediately. Ultimately, after taking one more day of rest, Won Tae-in will make a surprise start in Game 5.

Samsung defeated the KT Wiz 10-5 in Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven) on the 7th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, taking a 3-1 series lead. They are now just one win away from their first championship in 12 years since 2014.

The pitcher who will take that final step is Won Tae-in. Samsung announced that Won Tae-in will start Game 5 at the same venue on the 8th at 2 p.m. He will face KT's foreign ace, Daniel Davis (29).

However, when meeting with reporters ahead of Game 4, Won Tae-in brought up an unexpected topic. When asked about his physical condition, Won Tae-in said, "I honestly cannot say I am in good shape," adding, "Regardless, my goal is to pitch well. I am focusing on recovering as much as possible in a short amount of time."

There is a reason why Samsung's ace is so fatigued. In this year's regular season, Won Tae-in recorded 7 wins and 9 losses with an ERA of 4.52 in 26 games, striking out 117 batters over 145⅓ innings. However, before the postseason, closer Kim Jae-yoon was sidelined due to injury, prompting Won Tae-in to switch roles to the bullpen.

In the playoffs against the KIA Tigers, he made three relief appearances, posting a 2.45 ERA with one win. In particular, in Game 5, he took the mound in the ninth inning to secure Samsung's advancement to the Korea Series.

His dedication continued in the Korea Series as well. In Game 2, held on the 4th in Suwon, Won Tae-in entered late in the game and threw 32 pitches over 1⅔ innings. He contributed to Samsung's 3-2 victory in a close contest that went to the 12th inning of extra time, helping to even the series.

The issue was the timing of his return to the starting rotation. With Choi Won-tae struggling, a gap opened in the starting lineup, and Won Tae-in had to take responsibility for long innings again. Looking back on the situation, Won Tae-in said, "After Game 2, the manager called me. He asked if I thought it would be good for me to start Game 5." He added, "At that time, I felt like I could do anything. So I confidently told him, 'I can also pitch in Game 4.'"

But when he actually moved his body, his mind changed. Won Tae-in said, "After receiving treatment and doing catch on my day off, I remembered what the manager had said at first," relaying Manager Park's caution.

He explained, "If it had been a situation where I could pitch in Game 4 and Felix [Davis] could start Game 5, I would have pushed through to pitch in Game 4." However, he noted, "If I pitched in Game 4, we would have had to use Jang Chan-hee or have a bullpen day for Game 5. In that case, I thought it was better to rest one more day and go out with slightly better condition."

To recover, he even set aside his usual routine. Won Tae-in said, "My routine has actually disappeared. Right now, I am focusing entirely on recovery." He continued, "I am forcing myself to drink 3 to 4 liters of water a day. Felix [Davis] said that he pitched well because he drank a lot of water. Seeing him carry around a 1.5-liter PET bottle and drink an enormous amount of water, I have been doing the same. I think I have also drunk 3 to 4 liters."

He added with a smile, "I am also receiving treatment diligently. I need to sleep a lot, but since the game is at 2 p.m., it is a bit disappointing that I cannot get enough sleep. After this interview ends, I think I will have to take a nap quickly."

Since his physical condition is not perfect, he is also moderating his desire for pitching performance. Won Tae-in said, "I desperately want to pitch well like Felix [Davis] and Huardo. If my condition were 100%, I would have tried to raise the level further, but right now I am thinking only about getting through one inning at a time." He emphasized, "I will focus on handling each batter in front of me one by one."

Before the Korea Series began, Won Tae-in had compared himself to Yoshinobu Yamamoto (28, LA Dodgers), who played a key role alternating between starting and relief duties in the World Series. In fact, he is performing a similar role. Won Tae-in said firmly, "I am already doing that." He added, "I would like to end it in Game 5 if possible. My first goal is to clinch the championship in Daegu."

Nevertheless, he stated clearly, "If we go to Game 6 or 7, I will gladly wait in the bullpen according to the manager's wishes," making his intention to dedicate himself until the very end explicit.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original