KS has a 76.3% chance of winning... LG's Kelly, KT's Ko Young-pyo set to start Game 1

The starting pitchers for Game 1 of the highly anticipated Korean Series have been announced. The regular season champion LG Twins will start Casey Kelly. The KT Wiz have chosen Young-pyo Ko.

LG manager Yoon Kyung-yeop and KT manager Lee Kang-cheol participated in the Korean Series media day for the '2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO Postseason' at Jamsil Stadium on June 6. At the event, Yoon selected Kelly as the starting pitcher and Lee selected Ko Young-pyo as the starting pitcher for Game 1.

In the history of the Korean Series [29/38, excluding 1982 (Game 1 tie) - 1985 (not held)], the team that wins Game 1 has a 76.3% chance of winning the Korean Series. Game 1 can make or break a series, so it's up to the starting pitchers to get the job done.

"We prepared for the series just like we did for the regular season, and we created a pitch that can take a step forward. I think we'll have a good showing. I hope he pitches well in game one."

Kelly has appeared in 30 games this year, posting a 10-7 record with a 3.83 ERA, 129 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP in 178⅔ innings pitched. Against KT this season, he is 1-1 with a 3.96 ERA in four games and 25 innings pitched. He made two starts in the first half of the season and two in the second half, giving up 11 runs in a combined 11 innings in the first two games, but shutting down the opposition in the second half with 14 scoreless innings.

In KT's announcement sequence, Lee said, "I don't know what we're thinking, I think you know it's Ko Young-pyo in the rotation. We thought about making a surprise announcement, but we're going to go with the flow." 토토사이트

Go Young-pyo is one of the best Korean aces in the KBO beyond KT. In 28 games this year, he has a 12-7 record with a 2.78 ERA, 114 strikeouts, and a 1.15 WHIP in 174⅔ innings pitched. His 21 quality starts (6 innings of 3 earned runs or less) are tied for first with Eric Peddy (NC), Raul Alcantara (Doosan Bears), and David Buchanan (Samsung Lions). Even better, he has 17 Quality Starts Plus (7 starts with 3 earned runs or less), which is a significant difference from second-place Buchanan (12). He's so reliable that he's been nicknamed "Go-Quals" (High Marks + Quality Starts).

Despite his stellar regular season, Ko has struggled against the LG this year. In four games (three starts), he's 2-2 with a 7.36 ERA in 18 1/3 innings. This is the worst record against all nine clubs. However, he did have a strong outing against them, allowing one run in seven innings (July 26). Recapturing that form will be key.

The first game of the series will take place a day later (July 7) at 6:30 p.m. in Jamsil Stadium. Who will win the first game with a 76.3% chance?