Suwon, In a crucial twist ahead of the decisive Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason game, NC Dinos' manager Kang In-kwon has announced that ace Erick Fedde will be available for relief pitching against the KT Wiz.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision was reversed due to concerns over the pitcher's shoulder fatigue. However, in a strategic move that could impact the final outcome, Kang disclosed on Sunday that Fedde is potentially able to pitch later in the game if necessary.
Fedde, who achieved the Triple Crown during the regular season leading in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, made a formidable appearance in Game 1 on Monday with 12 strikeouts over six innings and 98 pitches thrown, contributing to a 9-5 victory for the Dinos.
"He had enough time to recover after pitching in Game 1 but he still complained of some shoulder discomfort," said Kang during the pregame preparations at KT Wiz Park. "He is frustrated himself. We'll see how he throws in the bullpen today and see if we can use him in relief."
Facing the pressure of the playoffs, the Dinos, after winning the first two games of the series, suffered losses in the subsequent two games at their home ground, Changwon NC Park. With Fedde unavailable to start, Kang opted for right-hander Shin Min-hyeok, who previously delivered a strong 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a narrow 3-2 victory in Game 2.
Adjustments have also been made to the batting lineup due to recent performance dips. Seo Ho-cheol has been promoted from the No. 7 to the No. 2 spot, while Jason Martin, after a 0-for-14 run in the cleanup position, has been moved to sixth in the order. Additionally, Park Min-woo and Park Kun-woo, who previously batted second and third, have been assigned the No. 3 and cleanup spots respectively.
The stakes are high as the victor of Sunday’s game will advance to the Korean Series.