Seoul:Doosan Bears manager Kim Won-hyong has expressed his confidence in ace pitcher Gwak Been ahead of a crucial postseason game in the South Korean baseball league. Despite Gwak's inconsistent history in postseason games, Kim believes the right-hander's performance this season marks a new chapter.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Gwak led all pitchers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) this regular season with an impressive 2.24 ERA and 197 strikeouts. He also played a pivotal role in South Korea's gold medal victory at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, giving up only one run over 12 1/3 innings and striking out 19 in two appearances.
Set to start in the wild card game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Gwak faces the challenge of helping the Bears secure a win to remain in contention. A victory would force another game on Thursday, whereas a win or tie would advance the Twins. Despite Gwak's previous 0-3 record and 7.58 ERA in the postseason, Kim is optimistic about his current form.
Kim stated that Gwak's past performances are irrelevant, emphasizing his improved abilities during the regular season. He highlighted Gwak's mental resilience from his experiences in high-pressure games at the Asian Games and expressed optimism for his performance against the Twins.
While some analysts favor the Bears due to Gwak's presence and the Twins' player injuries, Kim acknowledged the Twins' inherent advantages but welcomed the positive projections, noting the Bears' recent momentum.
Gwak will face former major leaguer Carlos Carrasco, who previously delivered a standout performance against the Bears. Kim is confident that his batters, who have been performing well recently, will handle Carrasco's pitching more effectively this time.