Tokyo: With the World Baseball Classic (WBC) opener against Czechia imminent, South Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun emphasized the importance of pride in his players. South Korea is set to begin Pool C play at the Tokyo Dome on Thursday at 7 p.m., following a meticulous preparation journey led by Ryu.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's national team has undergone extensive preparations, starting with a preliminary camp in Saipan in January, followed by further training in Okinawa, Japan. The team played two exhibition games in Osaka before arriving in Tokyo on Tuesday. Ryu expressed his commitment to fostering an environment where players feel a sense of accomplishment as members of the national team.
Ryu stated that he intends to step back and allow his coaching staff to communicate necessary messages to the players. He expressed confidence in his players' abilities and decided to maintain the same lineup that secured an 8-5 victory against the Orix Buffaloes in their final exhibition game.
The lineup features Kim Do-yeong as the leadoff hitter, followed by Jahmai Jones and Lee Jung-hoo. Ahn Hyun-min, who showcased his power with a solo home run against the Buffaloes, will bat cleanup. The lineup is rounded out by Moon Bo-gyeong, Shay Whitcomb, Kim Hye-seong, Park Dong-won, and Kim Ju-won.
Lee Jung-hoo, the team's captain and a prominent contact hitter, is expected to be a key player against Czechia. Ryu has surrounded Lee with right-handed power hitters like Jones and Ahn to create a balanced lineup against tough left-handed pitchers.
Right-handers So Hyeong-jun and Jeong Woo-joo will start as the first two pitchers for South Korea. Ryu plans to manage their pitch counts carefully, not allowing either to exceed 50 pitches, ensuring they remain available for future games. This strategic approach is crucial, as pitchers throwing more than 50 pitches must rest for four days, which could impact South Korea's tournament progression.
South Korea aims to advance past the first round for the first time since 2009, having struggled in the initial stages of previous WBC editions. Ryu acknowledged the significance of the opening game and mentioned that the team has run multiple simulations to prepare for various scenarios.