Gwangju:Right-hander Adam Oller is eagerly anticipating his first postseason game in South Korea's Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), as he prepares to pitch for the Kia Tigers against the LG Twins in Game 2 of the best-of-five first round on Sunday afternoon. Oller last experienced postseason action seven years ago in the U.S. minor leagues.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Oller expressed his excitement about the upcoming game while observing the preparations at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field. "I am excited. I think it is going to be a lot of fun," he said. Despite the spectacle of the event, Oller plans to approach it as he would any other game, focusing on pitching well and winning, while enjoying the adrenaline of the fans.
Oller joined the Kia Tigers in 2025, a year after their Korean Series title win. The team missed the postseason in his first year, but this season they finished third in the regular season, earning a bye to the current stage. Oller played a significant role in their success, finishing second overall with a 3.13 ERA and fourth with 180 strikeouts.
Throughout the regular season, Oller faced the Twins more than any other team, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.40 ERA in five starts against them. Reflecting on his previous encounters with the Twins, Oller noted that while he has had success against them, he must remain vigilant due to their familiarity with his pitching style.
Oller is also aware of the challenge posed by the Twins' lineup, including their top slugger Austin Dean, as well as Moon Bo-gyeong and Moon Jeong-bin, both known for their power hitting. Dean, along with Moon Jeong-bin and Moon Bo-gyeong, are expected to bat third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, as they did in Saturday's game.
Additionally, Oller is cautious of the Twins' speed, particularly Park Hae-min, who recorded 42 stolen bases in the regular season. Oller emphasized the importance of limiting base runners and focusing on the middle of the Twins' lineup to minimize damage.