It’s different from the first start matchup.
KIA and Samsung will play the first game of the 2024 Shinhan Sol Bank KBO Postseason (PS) Korean Series (KS, best out of seven) at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 21st. 메이저놀이터
This is the first showdown in 31 years between prestigious families in the Korean Series. Winning or losing the first round has an absolute influence on the direction of the series. Excluding 1982, when the series ended in a draw, there have been 29 wins by teams that won the first round in the KS for 40 times. The probability of winning the championship is close to 72.5 percent. As a result, both teams desperately need to win.
Against this backdrop, KS Media Day was held at the Ramada Plaza Lavender Hotel in Dong-gu, Gwangju on Tuesday. At the meeting, Kia Tigers coach Lee Bum-ho and Samsung Lions coach Park Jin-man announced their first-round picks. KIA is James Nail and Samsung is Won Tae-in.
Nail has been an active first starter for Kia this year. Nail posted 12 wins and five losses and an earned run average of 2.53 in 26 games this season, ranking first in the league in terms of average earned runs. She was put on the operating table after fracturing her temporomandibular joint after being hit by a pitch during a game in August, but will return to the Korean Series this time. She pitched twice against Samsung and posted an earned run average of 4.09.
Manager Lee Bum-ho said, “I think Nail is the best pitcher this season. I have no problem with my physical condition through recovery. I hope my nails will go crazy.”
Samsung responds with Won Tae-in. In this season’s 28 games, Won posted 15 wins, six losses and an earned run average of 3.66. In terms of multiple wins, Won ranks first in the league. In the two games against Kia this season, he also had quality starts (more than six innings as a starter and less than three earned runs), showing good performance with an earned run average of 2.25. As a starting pitcher in the second game of the PO, Won has pitched six ⅔ of seven hits, two walks and one run, showing good performance in the fall baseball as well.
“It’s Won’s turn to play in the rotation. However, he is the most reliable player in the team,” coach Park Jin-man said.