KT Wiz, whose rotation was inevitably adjusted due to rain cancellation, will send out both foreign one-two punches and native aces as starters against the ‘league leader’ LG Twins.
Ahead of the 13th game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League season against the Samsung Lions in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 31st, KT coach Lee Kang-cheol said, “I thought a lot the day before (the 30th). The rotation would go in order if the game had been played, so I had to choose a replacement starter. He explained the reason for adjusting the starting rotation, saying, “It’s a bit burdensome to use it on Tuesday (September 5) and Sunday (September 10).”
In particular, after the game against Samsung on the 31st and the Gocheok Kiwoom Heroes game on September 1-3, KT must play a three-game series against the LG Twins in Suwon starting on September 5th. On the weekend, a three-game home game against SSG Landers awaits KT. Playing against top teams may be an opportunity for KT to leap to a higher place, but it is also a burdensome schedule. Additionally, if KT did not make any changes to the rotation, they could not help but consider that ‘alternative starter’ Kim Min would have to be on the mound in the game against LG on the 5th and against SSG on the 10th.
In the end, KT decided to entrust the most reliable ‘ace’ William Cuevas to pitch twice a week. Naturally, Cuevas will take a break without any scheduled appearances this week. Coach Lee Kang-cheol said, “I came (in June) and continued to play the rotation with almost no rest, but if I want to go out (as usual), I have to pitch on Sunday (the 3rd). So it would be better to move Cuevas back and take a break during this period.” “I think it’s because we are planning a rotation for the remaining schedule or in case it doesn’t rain, so I thought it would be right for Cuevas to come in on the 5th and 10th.”
As a result, KT will operate the starting lineup in the order of Cuevas, Wes Benjamin, and Go Young-pyo in the three-game series against LG on the 5th to 7th. In fact, all pitchers in the starting lineup who are currently in the best condition will appear in the LG game.
However, coach Lee Kang-cheol drew a line against ‘targeted selection’. Coach Lee said, “I thought about it for a while. Anyone can see that we have no choice but to do it this way. I’m telling you in advance because I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings,” he said. “I thought it was the right thing to do, so I organized it that way,” he said.안전놀이터
He continued, “If Go Young-pyo is also sent back, the first game on the remaining schedule is against SSG (Incheon on the 12th). If he is in good condition at that time, he can play on the 4th.” “I thought about it, but I try not to overdo it,” he said. “You could say that now is the game-winner, but that’s not the case in my view. It’s better to solidify our position as much as possible. Also, there are only four starters and one is a replacement starter. “I told myself not to overdo it, so I followed the natural path and this is what happened,” he said.