“I’m glad the weather is nice. It’s the kind of weather for the opening game. The nice weather makes me feel excited.”
On the 22nd, ahead of the regular season opening game against the Kiwoom Heroes, Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man met with reporters, and a smile filled his face.
Manager Park noted that before the opening game, he conveyed the message to the players through the coaching staff to “not feel burdened about the opening game and to approach it with a comfortable mindset, thinking of it as just one game out of 144.”
Samsung set its opening game lineup with center fielder Kim Ji-chan, shortstop Lee Jae-hyun, left fielder Koo Ja-wook, catcher Kang Min-ho, first baseman Lewin Diaz, designated hitter Park Byung-ho, second baseman Jeon Byung-woo, third baseman Kim Young-woong, and right fielder Kim Hun-gon.
Infielder Kim Young-woong, who returned early due to a right rib contusion during the second camp in Okinawa, Japan, was also included in the starting lineup. Manager Park noted, “There are no issues with his physical condition, but he is a bit lacking in game sense. He has a lot of talent, so I believe he will show enough during the games.”
Regarding Lee Jae-hyun’s use in the second spot, Manager Park explained, “Originally, we would place Kim Hun-gon in the second spot against left-handed starters, but his condition was not good in the exhibition games, so he is somewhat lacking in feel. We built the lineup mainly with players who have good game sense, and I think Lee Jae-hyun is the most suitable for the second spot, so I placed him there.”
About Jeon Byung-woo, who will form the keystone combo with Lee Jae-hyun, he said, “He handled second base defense in last year’s Korean Series. He can cover all infield positions except shortstop. Since we need to play offensive baseball at home, I’m looking forward to Jeon Byung-woo’s performance, as he was in the best condition during the exhibition games.”
Regarding the utilization plan for “super rookie” Bae Chan-seung, he stated, “We need to see the situation to determine when to use him. He is a good card to apply pressure against left-handed batters. I will assign him for one inning.”
Ariel Huerto, a foreign pitcher who played for Kiwoom until last year, has taken the starting role. Manager Park noted, “I expect Huerto to have understood the weaknesses of the Kiwoom lineup well.”
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