KT Wiz Park in Suwon hosts a matchup between the second-place KT Wiz (41-28) and the struggling SSG Landers (29-40) on June 23. Despite the significant gap in standings, this game features a more intriguing pitching matchup than the records might suggest, and the head-to-head history between these clubs throws an unexpected wrinkle into the analysis.
Starting Pitcher Breakdown
Kim Geon-woo (SSG Landers)
SSG send Kim Geon-woo to the mound, who owns a 6-4 record, ERA 5.43, WHIP 1.56 across 68 innings in 2026. The ERA is elevated, but his six wins suggest he has benefited from run support on his better days. More notable is his head-to-head record against KT: 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA — a striking contrast to his overall season numbers and a legitimate reason to consider SSG’s chances in this specific matchup.
Kim relies on a 143 km/h fastball (52%) as his primary weapon — a heavy fastball-dominant approach — supplemented by a 134 km/h slider (19%) and a 129 km/h changeup (18%). Against KT specifically, this repertoire has produced outstanding results, with a 1.59 ERA across three starts indicating that the Wiz lineup has struggled to solve his approach.
Ko Young-pyo (KT Wiz)
KT counter with Ko Young-pyo, who carries a 5-4 record, ERA 4.38, WHIP 1.28 across 74 innings. His numbers are more reliable than Kim’s overall statistics, but his head-to-head record against SSG reads 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA — not disastrous, but indicating that the Landers lineup has had some success against him in 2026.
Ko’s pitch mix is notably changeup-heavy for a KBO starter: changeup at 118 km/h (43%) is his primary offering, followed by a 133 km/h two-seamer (26%) and a 116 km/h curveball (13%), with 18% in other pitches. The low-velocity changeup-first approach is unusual and can be effective when working to both sides of the plate, but hitters who recognize and time it present a consistent challenge.
Pitching Matchup Edge
Ko Young-pyo holds the overall statistical edge (ERA 4.38 vs. 5.43), but the head-to-head numbers complicate the analysis considerably. Kim Geon-woo’s 3-0 record with a 1.59 ERA against KT specifically is too significant to ignore. This is a matchup where the aggregate season numbers may be misleading relative to the specific opponents these pitchers are facing.
Team Form and Head-to-Head
The season series between these clubs is surprisingly favorable for SSG: the Landers hold a 6-3 advantage over KT in 2026, with KT winning only three of their nine meetings. SSG’s recent form shows loss-draw-loss-win-win, while KT have gone loss-win-loss-loss-win. Neither club is in a hot stretch heading into Tuesday.
Prediction
This game carries more upset potential than the standings indicate. SSG’s 6-3 season series advantage over KT, combined with Kim Geon-woo’s remarkable 3-0 head-to-head ERA of 1.59 against the Wiz, creates a legitimate case for the Landers despite their inferior overall record. KT remain the favorites given their superior roster depth, but bettors and analysts should factor in SSG’s historically strong performance in this specific matchup. A close, low-scoring game decided by one or two runs is the most likely outcome.
First pitch: 6:30 PM KST | Suwon KT Wiz Park, Suwon