Korean reliever looking to keep Australian hitters in the park

• Published date: 05 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

In preparing for the World Baseball Classic (WBC), Korean reliever Go Woo-suk has been watching a ton of film on hitters for Australia, Korea's first opponent coming up on Thursday in Tokyo ? to the point that Go has figured out their general tendencies.

"I noticed that they usually take big cuts and try to get the ball in the air," Go said after Korea's first practice in Osaka on Sunday, the eve of the team's exhibition game against the Orix Buffaloes. "In any situation, you have to be careful against big flies and extra-base hits, and try to keep other guys from getting on base. I think I should have a better feel for them once we get into the game Thursday."

Go, who led the Korea Baseball Organization with 42 saves last year for the LG Twins, is a strong candidate to handle the ninth-inning duties at the WBC. He will be leaning on a much-improved slider in high-leverage situations.

"I thought my slider was a really good pitch a couple of years ago, but looking back on it now, it was almost embarrassing," Go said. "Now...