WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - AUSTRALIA VS KOREA

March 9, 2023

Kang Chul Lee

Tokyo Dome

Team Korea

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Tell us about your feeling right now because you have the opening game momentarily.

KANG CHUL LEE: It's been for a long time till today, and today is the day. Well, I just wanted to play as soon as possible. That's my feeling right now.

Q. For your lineup, batting the sixth hole, the reason why you put him on the sixth hole is because of the lefty, lefty matchup.

KANG CHUL LEE: Yes. Although we have the pitching limit rules, but the reason why is because their starting pitcher is lefty, and he has solid skill. So that's why I put him on the sixth hole.

Q. You also changed the lineup for the fourth and the fifth spot. Why did you change the clean-up and in the fifth, and also, are we expecting to have the closer?

KANG CHUL LEE: Yes, because our opponent starting pitcher is good at -- against left-handed hitters, and for the closers, I don't think he is ready to pitch for the day.

Q. Tell us about the starting pitcher, Australian, Jack O'Loughlin, did you have a good enough scouting report and how deep are you guessing how many pitches he could pitch?

KANG CHUL LEE: Yes, talking about Jack O'Loughlin, the starting pitcher, we had a video and I've been watching him pitching a lot. I was expecting other pitchers will be the starter. But he's a very solid starting pitcher.

Q. Tell us about the pitcher, Woo Suk, is he able to pitch tomorrow?

KANG CHUL LEE: Yes, he's a day-by-day situation but getting better.

Q. Finally you'll have the opening game today. If you tell your players a specific message, tell us, please.

KANG CHUL LEE: Well, we do not have a specific message because today is the opening game. I trusted -- I trust my coaches behind me, and all the coaches worked well. I have nothing to say for today.

Q. Tell us about the starting pitcher. Your starting pitcher, Young Ko, are you expecting him to pitch up to 65 pitches? And also, what do you expect of him?

KANG CHUL LEE: Yes, if he is in good condition, he's, he'll probably pitch through, up to 65. I'm expecting him to pitch well, especially for the first inning. I'll expect him to minimize their offense, and hopefully he will pitch through the third inning.

Q. If you could let us know the starting pitcher for tomorrow's Japan's game, and how deep does the information of the starting pitcher mean to you?

KANG CHUL LEE: Well, if we have the solid starting rotation like Japan does, so I am not able to let you know today as of now. And I'll let you know after the game, I don't know yet.

I am not saying that we are hiding the starting pitcher's information. We have to concentrate on today's game first. That's why, so I'll let you know later on.