‘Samsung’s Yamamoto’ Won Tae-in returns as a starter in Game 5… “We will finish in Daegu.”

Won Tae-in (26) of the professional baseball Samsung Lions, who said, ‘I want to be Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers)’, returns as a starter in Game 5 of the Korean Series (KS).

He is becoming more like Yamamoto, who led the Dodgers to the World Series win last year by working hard in the bullpen, returning to the starting lineup, and even making relief appearances in games 6 and 7.

Won Tae-in expressed his determination to prepare to start the 5th game on the 8th ahead of the 4th game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason KS (4 wins out of 7) against KT Wiz held at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 7th.

He said, "I can't say I'm in good condition, but my goal is to pitch well," and "I'm thinking of getting through each inning well. I'm trying to catch each batter in front of me well, one by one."

For Won Tae-in, this KS is his second championship challenge.

In the first KS with the KIA Tigers in 2024, he pitched well with no runs in 5 innings in the first game, but retired with 6 runs in 2⅓ innings in the 4th game and ended the series with a right shoulder injury. Samsung also lost the championship with 1 win and 4 losses.

When I returned to the stage after two years, my role changed depending on the team's circumstances.

Won Tae-in, who joined the bullpen when closer Kim Jae-yoon was out due to injury, lasted 3⅔ innings and allowed 1 run in 3 playoff games against KIA.

In the second game of KS, he took the mound in the bottom of the 9th inning with 1 out and 2nd base, and added to his strength by allowing 1 run (unearned) in 1⅔ innings until the 10th inning.

With Samsung leading the series with 2 wins and 1 loss, it is now their turn to approach the championship as a starter.

Won Tae-in initially volunteered to pitch in Game 4, but accepted Coach Jin-man Park's offer to pitch in Game 5.

He explained, “The coach said, ‘If you overdo it and collapse, our series will end,’” and “I thought it would be better to rest for at least one more day and go out in good condition.”

Won Tae-in, who alternates between starting and bullpen duties, is focusing on recovery rather than his usual mounding routine. After seeing my colleague Chris Fedek drink water frequently, I am following his habit.

He said, "The routine is gone. I'm focusing all of my attention on recovery. I'm drinking 3 to 4 liters of water a day and receiving treatment diligently. After the interview, I think I need to go to bed quickly."

As they are vulnerable to the cold, the warm-up before the game is longer than usual.

Won Tae-in explained, "Starters have to throw long distances in the cold, so they have to maintain their body temperature well. They have to throw their best pitches from the first inning, so they tend to have long warm-ups in fall baseball."

Won Tae-in wants to end the series at home in Daegu, but he is prepared to step back into the bullpen if the game gets longer.

He said, "The first goal is to finish in Daegu. I want to pitch in good condition for the 5th game. If we get to the 6th and 7th games, I will gladly wait in the bullpen as the manager wants."

When told that he seemed to be taking after Yamamoto's steps, he smiled and said, "I'm already doing that."

Recently, MLB.com cited Won Tae-in's changeup and ability to digest innings as his strengths, and highlighted the possibility of him advancing to the big leagues by mentioning the Texas Rangers as a suitable team.

Won Tae-in also read the article because his teammate Kim Ji-chan showed it to him, but he is now focusing on winning the championship in front of him rather than his future after the season.

He emphasized, “I don’t have time or thought to worry about free agency after the season ends,” and added, “Right now, I want to give everything to winning as a Samsung Lions player.”