"Knowing the KBO": Hanwha's Wang Yen-chung likely to start for Taiwan, set to face Gwak Been in the "first Asian Games matchup" [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News] Ryu Ji-hyun's team, seeking a fifth consecutive Asian Games title, is expected to face Taiwanese left-handed pitcher Wang Yen-chung of the Hanwha Eagles as an opponent from the opening game.
Taiwanese sports outlets Sports Vision and TVBS reported on the 19th that Wang Yen-chung is highly likely to start for Taiwan against South Korea in the opening game of Group B in the baseball competition at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on the 21st at Okazaki Central General Park Baseball Stadium in Japan.
Taiwanese media cited Wang Yen-chung's five full days of rest after starting for his club on the 15th. By contrast, left-handed pitcher Yu-Min Lin of the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor-league system, who has repeatedly troubled South Korea at international competitions such as the Hangzhou Asian Games, is unlikely to be able to start immediately because of fatigue from the long-distance trip to Japan on the 19th.
Wang Yen-chung, who joined the Hanwha Eagles this season through the Asian player quota, has posted an impressive 11–6 record with a 3.97 ERA in 26 games. Taiwanese media expect him to make full use of his familiarity with Korean batters, saying, "Korean batters are not unfamiliar to Wang Yen-chung, who completed a full season in the KBO League." However, they identified his 8.10 ERA since September and relative struggles against right-handed batters as potential variables. They also singled out Korean sluggers such as KIM Do-young of the Kia Tigers, who is batting 0.303 against left-handed pitchers this season, as players to watch.
The South Korean national team had also anticipated Wang Yen-chung's start and prepared for it well in advance. Manager Ryu Ji-hyun and the coaching staff analyzed his pitching several times during the regular season. In a practice game against Sangmu on the 17th, they even used a lineup tailored for a left-handed starter.
KIM Do-young, a key member of South Korea's batting lineup, expressed confidence, saying, "Not a single one of Wang Yen-chung's pitches comes straight at you, so he was difficult to deal with even during the season. But I have other dependable teammates besides me, so I will trust them and face him."
Doosan Bears ace Gwak Been is considered South Korea's most likely starter. He threw a bullpen session during training on the 19th to check his form. Gwak Been said, "I started against Wang Yen-chung a couple of times during the season and lost both games. I will beat him in the most important game," vowing to secure the victory.
The game against Taiwan is the biggest test of South Korea's baseball team in the group stage. A victory would allow South Korea to take an early lead in Group B, making it easier to advance to the Super Round and reach the final, where it would face one of the top teams from Group A.
[email protected] Park Ji-hyun Reporter