LG Twins manager Yoon Kyung-yeop announced that he will start foreign pitcher Casey Kelly in Game 5 of the Korean Series (KS) and Choi Won-tae in Game 6.
“If we had lost yesterday’s game (Game 3), I would have tried to start Kelly today,” Yoon said ahead of the 2023 KBO Baseball Game 4 between the KT Wiz and KS at Katwiz Park in Suwon on April 11. “We won yesterday’s game, so the starting rotation for Games 5 and 6 came out.”
“I explained the situation to Kelly before yesterday’s game and talked to her about starting Game 4,” Yeom said, adding, “She said she could pitch on short rest.”
“As a result, we didn’t utilize her today, but I’m grateful for that.”
“I would like to re-sign Kelly,” Yeom said, adding, “It’s important what the front office thinks, but Kelly has a deep heart for the team. Even if we get a new foreign pitcher, having her will be very helpful.”
Kelly, who has been with LG since 2019, was considered for a trade in the middle of the season after his pitches declined.
However, LG did not release him, and he stayed with the team until fall baseball.
Kelly made a start in the first game between KT and KS on April 7, pitching 6⅓ innings of one-run ball.
With another foreign pitcher, Adam Plutko, released due to injury, Kelly’s performance was a big boost for LG.
“Kelly can start in Game 5, and if KS goes to Game 7, he can give us a boost again in Game 7,” Yoon said.
Yoon also announced that Choi Won-tae, a starter who was sent down early in Game 2, would be the starting pitcher for Game 6.
Initially, Yeom had planned to utilize Choi Won-tae in the bullpen after he lost confidence, but he revised his plan.
“We won yesterday’s game, so the plan changed,” Yeom said.
Regarding closer Ko Woo-seok, who collapsed the day before, he said, “I will use him as a closer today as well.” 먹튀검증