The KT Wiz only won four out of 16 meetings against the Doosan Bears during the 2024 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) regular season, their worst record against any opponent this year. But when these two teams collide to open the postseason Wednesday evening in Seoul, things will be different, Wiz slugger Mel Rojas Jr. said. "That was regular season. That's over, and now we're in the postseason," Rojas told Yonhap News Agency before the wild card game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. "I have a lot of confidence in my teammates that we're going to come through and give our best to get the win tonight, and then later move on tomorrow." As the fifth seed, the Wiz must win two straight games to advance to the next round. The Bears, as the fourth seed, only need a tie or a win and will have two opportunities to do so. Mel Rojas Jr. of the KT Wiz celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the SSG Landers during the Korea Baseball Organization fifth-place tiebreaker game at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 1, 2024. (Yonhap) Mel Rojas Jr. of the KT Wiz celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the SSG Landers during the Korea Baseball Organization fifth-place tiebreaker game at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 1, 2024. (Yonhap) Rojas single-handedly put the Wiz in this situation. He launched two home runs, including a go-ahead three-run shot, to lift the Wiz past the SSG Landers 4-3 in a fifth-place tiebreaker game Tuesday. Rojas is now back in the KBO postseason for the first time since 2020. He first played for them from 2017 to 2020 and left for Japan before returning this year. The Wiz lost to the Bears to be eliminated from the 2020 postseason, and Rojas made the final out by popping out to shortstop. While he wants to get his personal redemption, Rojas is also determined not to let it consume him too much. "I'm trying to prepare the best way that I can for the game, and obviously, I'm not going to let that get in my head because then I can distract myself and lose focus," he said. "I don't necessarily have to be hitting a home run. It could be like making a good defensive play or making nice base running." While Rojas was getting ready for action, 40-year-old infielder Park Kyung-su will try to be the best dugout cheerleader he can be. The 2021 Korean Series MVP has not played since April. But he has been traveling with the team, serving as a big brother figure for his teammates. Park said he had tried to play his way onto the postseason roster but decided not to block younger teammates' path. "I was taken off the team in April, and for me to make it back in October, it would have felt like I was taking away a spot from someone else. It wouldn't have been good for the team," Park said. "I know the coaching staff thought about putting me in because of defense. But if I don't play well, I figured it would hurt the team so much. So I said we should go with someone younger." Park said he was grateful for the chance to be with the team. "I don't think anyone in the history of this league has ever been removed from the active roster and still traveled with the club all season," Park said. "I feel blessed. I've enjoyed being away from the game and played the role of a coach. It's been a great learning experience." Source: Yonhap News Agency
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