"I will pitch twice next week."

KIA Tigers prospect Kim Do-hyun (25) is gaining expectations as a domestic ace. As the absence of foreign pitcher Adam Oller continues, he essentially occupies the role of a second starter. He has been given the responsibility to pitch twice next week against top teams after getting adequate rest.

Manager Lee Bum-ho announced the changes to the starting pitchers' schedule due to concentrated heavy rain in the Gwangju area. After the cancellation of the first game of the second half against the NC Dinos on 17th, he stated that James Nail, Lee Eui-ri, and Yang Hyun-jong would be used as starting pitchers for the remaining three weekend games.

With the game on 18th in Gyeonggi Province likely to be canceled, he noted, "If it is canceled that day as well, we will go with Nail and Lee Eui-ri. Kim Do-hyun will start next Tuesday against the Gwangju LG Twins and Yang Hyun-jong will pitch next Wednesday against LG. Kim Do-hyun will pitch twice next week."

While the game against NC is important, next week features a six-game series against top teams LG and the Lotte Giants (at Sajik). This game could influence the rankings in the early part of the second half. There is a calculation to increase the probability of victory by using Kim Do-hyun, the domestic pitcher with the best stuff, twice.

Oller has been sidelined since the game against the Kiwoom Heroes on June 25 due to elbow inflammation. Contrary to expectations that he would return in about ten days, his absence has extended longer. The manager said, "He is now throwing catch. He needs to pitch in a Futures game for an assessment. He will return in early August."

With Oller, who had been active as a one-two punch alongside Nail, absent, Kim Do-hyun's role has increased significantly. He has made his first full-time appearance as a starting pitcher this year, appearing in 16 games with a record of four wins, three losses, and an earned run average of 3.18. Although he has not received adequate run support, he is comparable to a ten-win starter.

He has completed quality starts eight times and has pitched an average of 5⅔ innings. There have been two instances where he has not completed five innings. He is performing as a stable part of the starting rotation. In his last game of the first half against Lotte, he posted a seven-inning shutout performance. His velocity, stuff, control, and ability to manage the mound are paving the way for him as a top-quality starting pitcher.

It is not an exaggeration to say that he holds the key to advancing to fall baseball in the second half. Na Sung-bum and Kim Sun-bin have returned, and if Kim Do-young comes back in August, the strength of the lineup will change significantly. If Kim Do-hyun pitches at the level he showed in the first half, the chances of victory could increase.

Having completed his appearances in the first half, he took more than two weeks of adequate rest. However, he struggled against LG, the first opponent in the second half. In one game, he faced 3⅓ innings, allowing nine hits and seven runs (five earned runs). This was his worst performance. This will be his stage for redemption.

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