For once, the heavens helped. The Samsung Lions of the Korea Professional Baseball League gained a sigh of relief and bought time to regroup thanks to the rain that fell before their game against the KT Wiz in Daegu on the 13th.

On this day, Samsung named Hwang Dong-jae, a first-round draft pick, as their starting pitcher. With Won Tae-in and Denny Reyes being removed from the first team roster, they pulled out a substitute card amid gaps in the starting lineup.

Hwang Dong-jae appeared in 9 games this season, taking on 1 loss without a win. His earned run average is 5.40. This is his first start in the first team this season, but he has consistently pitched in the Futures League starting rotation.

Manager Park Jin-man noted, "Hwang Dong-jae has good memories against KT from last year." He hoped that Hwang, who had a good performance against KT on June 30 last year, pitching 5 innings and allowing only 1 run (3 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts), would continue that good aura in today's game.

He added, "If he can pitch until the 5th inning like Yang Chang-seob did against KIA on the 11th (5 innings, 1 run allowed), I couldn’t ask for more."

However, the game was postponed due to rain, leading Samsung to make changes to their starting rotation. Ariel Hurad will pitch on the 14th, followed by Choi Won-tae on the 15th. For Samsung, the cancellation of the game due to rain seems like good news, as they can utilize solid starting cards for two consecutive days instead of a substitute starter.

Hurad has recorded 6 wins and 5 losses with an earned run average of 2.45 in 14 games this season. On the 8th, he achieved his first complete game shutout in the KBO League against the NC Dinos. Choi Won-tae has taken the mound 12 times, with 5 wins and 3 losses and an earned run average of 4.65. In his last appearance on the 10th against KIA in Gwangju, he showcased a perfect performance with 6 innings, 2 hits allowed, 3 walks, and 7 strikeouts without allowing a run.

Samsung, which wrapped up the 3-game series against KIA with 2 wins and 1 loss, will face KT on the 14th following a sweet rain cancellation on the 13th. Manager Park Jin-man said, "I thought this week would be critical, but finishing the midweek 3-game series with a winning series has given us some breathing room."

With the rain cancellation on the 13th, the chances of winning have increased as they can now use Hurad on the 14th and Choi Won-tae on the 15th as starting pitchers. The chance for the winning set—including Lee Seung-min, Kim Tae-hoon, Bae Chan-seung, and Lee Ho-sung, who pitched in the game on the 12th—to recharge is also expected to work in their favor.

It’s clear that some families are just different. Samsung is one of them.

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