On March 8, 2026, at Tokyo Dome, South Korea faces Taiwan in a critical World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool C round-robin matchup. National team manager Ryu Ji-hyun starts ace pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin to secure a vital win.
High Stakes in Pool C
South Korea holds a 1-2 record after an 11-4 loss to the Czech Republic on March 5 and an 8-6 defeat to Japan on March 7. The team sits third in Pool C, with Japan and Australia leading at 2-0. Taiwan matches Korea’s 1-2 mark in fourth place, while the Czech Republic trails at 0-3.
To advance to the eight-team knockout stage, South Korea must defeat Taiwan today and achieve a 3-1 record by sweeping remaining games through March 9. A victory over Taiwan keeps hopes alive for a favorable tiebreaker.
Ryu Hyun-jin’s Proven Track Record
Manager Ryu Ji-hyun places full trust in Ryu Hyun-jin, stating, “The pitcher I trust the most right now is Ryu Hyun-jin.” He added, “Today, we prepared the strongest pitchers. If starters deliver deep innings, we can lock down the win and gain momentum heading into tomorrow.”
Ryu Hyun-jin guided South Korea to gold at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, posting a 5-1 record over 14 games with one hold, 51 2/3 innings, and a 3.14 ERA. In the 2009 WBC, he contributed to the runner-up finish with a 1-0 record in five appearances, one hold, seven innings, and a 2.57 ERA.
Taiwan’s Powerhouse Ace
Taiwan counters with ace Gurin Ruiyang, a towering right-hander born in 2000 who tops out at 157 km/h. Ruiyang earned CPBL Rookie of the Year with the Uni-President Lions in 2018, claimed league MVP in 2024, and joined NPB’s Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2025. This season, he holds a 2-2 record over seven starts with a 3.62 ERA. Despite a rocky NPB debut, Ruiyang impressed in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games representing Taiwan.
South Korea eyes a three-game sweep against Taiwan, Japan, and home opponents to fuel momentum. Key contributors include Kwak Bin, Dain Dening, and a revamped bullpen limited to 50 pitches per outing against the Czech Republic.
Strategic Lineup Adjustments
Manager Ryu Ji-hyun emphasizes pitcher confidence amid uneven results. Recent games highlight strong defense and timely hitting, with starters like Kim Joo-won, Park Dong-won, and Kim Hye-seong anchoring the lineup. Position players such as Kim Do-young (third base), Utkcom (first base), and Mun Bo-kyeong (designated hitter) provide depth.
