Daejeon: Hanwha Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon has announced a strategic pitching plan for the decisive Korea Baseball Organization postseason game, revealing that he will rely on his two American starters to cover the entire nine innings. This winner-take-all Game 5 against the Samsung Lions will take place at the Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, with the victorious team advancing to the Korean Series.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cody Ponce has been chosen to start the critical game, with Ryan Weiss set to follow if necessary. Ponce and Weiss, both leading figures in the league, have been given the task of securing a win for the Eagles. Ponce, who previously led the regular season in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, aims for redemption after allowing six runs in six innings during Game 1. Similarly, Weiss hopes to improve upon his last performance where he conceded five runs in four innings.

Manager Kim has expressed his intent to rely solely on these two pitchers, thereby excluding closer Kim Seo-hyeon, who has had a challenging series, from this game. The manager had initially considered using Kim Seo-hyeon in a save situation but revised his strategy to focus on the American starters. Kim emphasized the need for Kim Seo-hyeon's future contributions, stating that the young pitcher will be crucial in the team's championship aspirations.

In defense of Kim Seo-hyeon, the manager urged both fans and the media to show patience and understanding, highlighting the pitcher's exceptional fastball speed and potential. Kim drew parallels to Major League Baseball, noting that even top closers can falter under pressure.

Additionally, Kim confirmed that Moon Dong-joo, a starter-turned-reliever, will not be available for this game due to a recent heavy workload. The manager is mindful of the player's long-term career prospects and has decided to rest him.