Could the Lotte Giants' challenge for a third consecutive win be postponed to the 10th?

The Lotte Giants are preparing for their fourth season matchup against the KT Wiz in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 9th.

As of 3:20 p.m., Suwon KT Wiz Park is experiencing a lull in the rain. The infield tarp is soaked from the rain that has fallen all day, but for now, the rain is barely falling. The home team KT players are conducting batting practice indoors, while ground staff are working to remove water from the tarp.

The key is the weather. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the area of Jowon-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon, where the stadium is located, has a rain forecast until early morning on the 10th. However, with not much precipitation expected until 9 p.m., and with rain clouds gradually dissipating, the possibility of the game being held as scheduled has increased. If the game is canceled, it would be very good news for the players on both teams, who would have to play a doubleheader at the same location on the 10th.

This game is a matchup between third-place Lotte and fifth-place KT. The ranking difference is only two spots, but the recent momentum is vastly contrasting. Lotte won two consecutive games in the Children's Day series following a loss to the SSG Landers at home, while KT unexpectedly suffered a sweep loss against the low-ranked NC Dinos at home. Lotte, on a two-game winning streak, has a season record of 22 wins, 1 draw, and 16 losses, placing them third. KT, on a three-game losing streak, is fifth with a record of 18 wins, 2 draws, and 18 losses. The gap between the two teams is three games.

For a third consecutive win, Lotte has announced right-hander Na Kyun-an as the starter. Na Kyun-an's season record is 0 wins, 1 loss, and an earned run average of 3.00 over 7 games. Despite a strong performance in his last outing against the NC Dinos on the 2nd, where he pitched 6⅓ innings allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, and struck out 4 without giving up a run, he still did not earn a victory. After leading 2-0, he lost the lead in the 8th inning when Jung Cheol-won, Jung Hyun-soo, and Kim Won-jung allowed 3 runs, extinguishing the victory condition. The final result was a 4-3 victory for Lotte, and Lotte’s manager Kim Tae-hyung noted, "I feel sorry for Na Kyun-an, who hasn’t had any luck."

This will be Na Kyun-an’s first start against KT this year, and he finished last year's three games against them with 2 wins and no losses and an earned run average of 5.84. However, his record in two games at Wiz Park is less impressive, with 1 win and no losses and an earned run average of 7.11.

In response, KT has countered with their homegrown ace Koh Young-pyo. Koh Young-pyo has a season record of 2 wins, 2 losses, and an earned run average of 2.22 over 7 games. In his last outing on the 2nd against the KT Wiz, Koh Young-pyo pitched 6 innings but struggled, allowing 16 hits, 2 walks, and giving up 5 runs (3 earned), resulting in a loss. He has been on a streak of six consecutive quality starts, but has unfortunately been the losing pitcher in both of his last two games.

This year against Lotte, he was limited to 6 innings and 2 earned runs in a no-decision at Sajik on March 30.

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