Lotte’s Kim Tae-hyung Rallies Pitching Staff
Lotte Giants’ scheduled game against the LG Twins on the 28th was rained out, giving the team time to regroup. Manager Kim Tae-hyung told new closer Iimura Shota not to feel pressure, and asked struggling foreign starters Jeremy Beasley and Elvin Rodriguez to focus more on their command. Kim also stressed the importance of early scoring, saying he hopes the lineup can take pressure off the starters by striking first. Lotte has lost three straight and recently fell to sixth place behind the NC Dinos.
Source: MT
MLB Veteran Choi Ji-man Eyes KBO Draft
Choi Ji-man, who hit 67 home runs over 525 MLB games, will take part in the tryout for the 2027 KBO rookie draft on September 1 at the National Team Baseball Training Center in Goyang. Playing for the Ulsan Wales in the KBO Futures League this season, Choi is batting .308 with 1 home run and 7 RBIs in 20 games as of August 28. Ulsan Wales manager Jang Won-jin said Choi has steadily gained game experience and prepared diligently, adding that he sincerely hopes for Choi’s new challenge to succeed.
Source: Ilgan Sports
Rain Creates First Kwak Bin-Ahn Woo-jin Duel
Heavy rain across the country forced the cancellation of all five KBO games on the 28th. As a result, Ahn Woo-jin’s scheduled start was pushed back a day, setting up the first regular-season starting matchup between Doosan’s Kwak Bin and Kiwoom’s Ahn Woo-jin. Both born in 1999, the two previously faced off in the 2021 wild card game but have never started against each other in the regular season. Kwak leads the league with a 2.33 ERA this year, while Ahn has racked up 101 strikeouts in his first full season since completing military service.
Source: Sports Donga