KT Wiz sidearm pitcher Uhm Sang-baek (27), who returned from injury, and LG Twins left-hander Kim Yun-sik (23), who came back to life in the second half of the season, will face off in the starting lineup for their teams.

The two players will start Game 4 of the 2023 Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) Korean Series at Katie Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Nov. 11.

Both players have had ups and downs this season. Uhm went 7-6 with a 3.63 ERA in 20 regular-season games this year, but he was unable to pitch in any more regular-season games after fracturing his ribs in August.

Uhm focused on rest and rehabilitation with an eye toward the postseason, and the coaching staff, including KT manager Lee Kang-cheol, had high hopes for him as a candidate to start fall baseball.

However, in his first game back from injury, on March 27, Uhm Sang-baek gave up a home run to Park Byung-ho in a game against Cheongbaeik.

“I don’t think he’s up to speed yet,” Lee said at the time.

After being designated for assignment, Uhm showed signs of recovery by pitching in the bullpen for two games of the playoffs (PO) against the NC Dinos.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol decided that Uhm had regained his command and selected him to start Game 4 against KS.

However, Uhm is more of an opener than a starter. He hasn’t pitched long innings since returning from injury, so the team is thinking four innings at most.

If Uhm goes down early, the team plans to mobilize the bullpen, including bringing in another unavailable starter.

KT is likely to go all out in Game 4, as they came up short in shocking fashion in Games 2 and 3 against KS.

Uhm Sang-baek has not faced LG once this season. In 2022, he pitched very well against LG with a 1.32 ERA in three games.

Like Uhm, Kim Yun-sik, who served as the native left-handed ace last season, has struggled this season.

He ramped up his conditioning earlier than usual to prepare for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) before the start of the regular season and struggled to stay healthy.

Initially, Kim was expected to make the team’s third team, but his form was up and down and he was dropped to the second team in June.

After returning to the first team in late August, Kim showed improvement in the second half, going 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA in six games.

However, Kim was especially vulnerable to KT in the regular season this year. He struggled with a 7.00 ERA in three games.

Jang Jang-woo (.400), Kim Sang-soo (.333), Park Byung-ho (.333), and Park Kyung-soo (.333-plus batting average) all had at least four at-bats against Kim Yoon-sik.

Moon Sang-chul and Anthony Alford have homered off of Kim.

LG, like KT, is ready to go all out in the bullpen if starter Kim Yoon-sik goes down early.

LG also used a strong bullpen to pull off the upset in Game 2 against KS after starter Choi Won-tae faltered early.

However, LG’s bullpen is also showing signs of fatigue, so the best-case scenario is for Kim Yoon-sik to go a lot of innings with minimal runs. 슬롯사이트