KIA Tigers Manager Lee Bum-ho Names James Naile as opening Day Starter
KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho has announced that right-hander James Naile will start the team’s opening game of the regular season. The decision was revealed ahead of the team’s exhibition game against the Doosan Bears at jamsil Stadium on Wednesday.
Naile Gets the Nod: Experience Matters
Lee Bum-ho emphasized Naile’s experience in high-pressure situations, including his starts in the Korean series, as a key factor in the decision. He felt that naile was a better fit to start the opener than fellow pitcher, Adam Plutko.
Naile, who played for the KIA Tigers last season, recorded 12 wins, 5 losses, and a 2.53 ERA, playing a significant role in the team’s championship run, including starting Games 1 and 4 of the Korean Series.
Adam Plutko’s Progress and Role
Plutko, a new addition to the KIA Tigers for the 2025 season, pitched three innings, allowing one run, in an exhibition game against the Lotte Giants. He was scheduled to pitch four innings in today’s exhibition game against the Doosan Bears with a target of 70-80 pitches.
Confidence in Reliever Cho Sang-woo
Manager Lee also expressed confidence in pitcher Cho sang-woo,acquired via trade in December. Despite some shaky appearances in recent exhibition games,Lee believes that Cho is preparing well and is not overly concerned about his performance. He stressed the importance of managing expectations, noting that even the best relievers typically record 20-30 holds in a season.
Wisdom’s Lineup Placement and Kim Do-young’s Consistency
Regarding foreign hitter Patrick Wisdom, who has struggled in exhibition games, Lee Bum-ho stated that he is experimenting with different lineup spots, including the No. 5 hole. He acknowledged the need for flexibility in the batting order throughout the season. Lee Bum-ho also confirmed that Kim Do-young, the reigning MVP, will remain in the third spot in the lineup.
Fan Support and Team Advantage
Lee Bum-ho expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic fan support,noting the large turnout for the weekday afternoon game. He believes that playing in front of packed crowds is an advantage for his team and motivates the players to perform at their best.
Downplaying “Strongest Team” Label
When asked about the widespread assessment that KIA is the strongest team heading into the regular season, Lee Bum-ho downplayed the notion.He stated that the league is very competitive, and the difference between all 10 teams is minimal, noting that anything can happen in any given game.
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KIA Tigers Manager Lee Bum-ho Names James Naile as Opening Day Starter
KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho has announced that right-hander James Naile will start the team’s opening game of the regular season. The decision was revealed ahead of the team’s exhibition game against the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium on Wednesday.
Naile Gets the Nod: Experience Matters
Lee Bum-ho emphasized Naile’s experience in high-pressure situations, including his starts in the korean Series, as a key factor in the decision. He felt that Naile was a better fit to start the opener than fellow pitcher, Adam plutko.
Naile, who played for the KIA Tigers last season, recorded 12 wins, 5 losses, and a 2.53 ERA, playing a significant role in the team’s championship run, including starting Games 1 and 4 of the Korean Series.
Adam Plutko’s Progress and Role
Plutko, a new addition to the KIA Tigers for the 2025 season, pitched three innings, allowing one run, in an exhibition game against the Lotte Giants. He was scheduled to pitch four innings in today’s exhibition game against the Doosan Bears with a target of 70-80 pitches.
Confidence in Reliever Cho Sang-woo
Manager Lee also expressed confidence in pitcher Cho Sang-woo,acquired via trade in December. Despite some shaky appearances in recent exhibition games, Lee believes that Cho is preparing well and is not overly concerned about his performance. He stressed the importance of managing expectations, noting that even the best relievers typically record 20-30 holds in a season.
Wisdom’s Lineup Placement and Kim Do-young’s Consistency
Regarding foreign hitter patrick Wisdom, who has struggled in exhibition games, Lee Bum-ho stated that he is experimenting with different lineup spots, including the No.5 hole. He acknowledged the need for versatility in the batting order throughout the season. Lee Bum-ho also confirmed that Kim Do-young, the reigning MVP, will remain in the third spot in the lineup.
fan Support and Team Advantage
Lee Bum-ho expressed his recognition for the eager fan support, noting the large turnout for the weekday afternoon game. He believes that playing in front of packed crowds is an advantage for his team and motivates the players to perform at their best.
Downplaying “Strongest Team” Label
When asked about the widespread assessment that KIA is the strongest team heading into the regular season, Lee Bum-ho downplayed the notion. He stated that the league is very competitive, and the difference between all 10 teams is minimal, noting that anything can happen in any given game.
Q&A: Key Insights into the KIA Tigers’ season
Why did Lee Bum-ho choose James Naile over Adam Plutko as the Opening Day starter?
Naile’s experience, particularly his starts in the Korean Series, was the deciding factor. Lee Bum-ho valued Naile’s ability to perform under pressure more than Plutko’s current progress.
what is Adam Plutko’s role, and how is he developing?
Plutko is a new pitcher for the KIA Tigers.He’s being developed through exhibition games, with the goal of increasing his pitch count. He is likely to be an important part of the rotation, but not the opening day starter.
What’s the situation with reliever Cho Sang-woo?
Despite some concerns from recent exhibition games, Manager Lee Bum-ho has confidence in Cho. He emphasizes that even top relievers typically record a limited number of holds, so fans should manage their expectations.
Where will Patrick Wisdom bat in the lineup?
Manager Lee Bum-ho is experimenting with Wisdom’s lineup position, including the No. 5 spot. The batting order will be flexible to optimize performance.
Will Kim Do-young, the reigning MVP, stay in the third spot?
Yes, Kim do-young will remain in the third spot in the lineup, signifying his importance to the team’s offense.
How does the team feel about fan support?
The team appreciates the enthusiastic fan base. They believe playing in front of a supportive crowd is an advantage and a source of motivation.
What’s the manager’s view on being labeled the “strongest team”?
Lee Bum-ho downplays the label, emphasizing the league’s competitiveness. He believes any team can win on any given day.
With Naile leading the charge on Opening Day, the KIA Tigers are poised for an exciting season. Follow the team’s progress to see if they can live up to their potential.
