SEOUL - After a disappointing loss in the opening game of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason series, the SSG Landers are leaning on veteran ace Kim Kwang-hyun to even the series.
According to a new release by Yonhap News Agency, the Landers will field Kim Kwang-hyun against the NC Dinos for Game 2 of the first round series on Monday.
Kim Kwang-hyun, a left-handed pitcher and five-time Korean Series champion, finished the regular season with a 9-8 record and a 3.53 ERA over 30 starts. In the three matchups against the Dinos this year, Kim posted a 1-1 record and a 3.31 ERA across 16 1/3 innings.
For the Dinos, right-hander Song Myung-gi will start the game. Song has had a challenging year, ending the regular season with a 4-9 record and a 4.83 ERA. However, he has performed relatively well against the Landers, with a 2.38 ERA and a 0-1 record in four starts.
The Dinos secured a win in the first game with a 4-3 score on Sunday. The team's regular-season batting champion, Son Ah-seop, batted 3-for-6 against Kim, while Jason Martin had a 3-for-7 record against the left-hander.
While the Dinos' ace Erick Fedde, who led the KBO in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, is still recovering from a forearm injury and will not be playing in the upcoming game, he could return as early as Game 3 on Wednesday, following a bullpen session prior to Sunday's game where he threw 19 pitches.