The team with the highest winning percentage for the month of August is KT Wiz. With a dominant 18-4 record (0.818) in 22 games, they secured the top spot in the monthly win percentage regardless of the outcome of their game against the Suwon Samsung Lions on August 31. With the win, KT jumped to second place and closed the gap on the leaders, the LG Twins, to 4.5 games.
While several players shined in the two-hitter, it was foreign pitcher William Cuevas who led the charge. He went 5-0 with a 0.50 ERA in 36 innings over five games in August, giving the team a whopping five wins. His strikeouts (37) far outnumbered his walks (3).
Cuevas, who has been in a KT uniform since 2019, posted back-to-back double-digit win seasons in 2020 and helped the team to its first-ever combined title in 2021. However, an elbow injury last year sidelined him early in the season, and KT requested a waiver from the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) in mid-May. It was an unexpected parting of ways for both player and club.
After leaving Korea, Cuevas continued his career in the Mexican League and the U.S. minor leagues before being called up by KT once again. With foreign pitcher Bo Schuler unable to break out of his slump, KT reached for the replacement card in early June and turned to Cuevas. Unlike last year, there was no reason for KT to hesitate to sign him, as he was in good shape and could adapt to the league immediately. Cuevas himself welcomed the move to Korea by sharing a message of welcome from Korean fans on his social media accounts.
Cuevas took a no-decision in his first start against the Suwon Samsung Lions on April 17, giving up three runs on five hits in 4⅔ innings with one walk and three strikeouts, but he picked up his first win of the season against the Gwangju KIA Tigers on April 23, giving up one run on six hits in four innings with one walk and six strikeouts.토토사이트
In his first start of the second half of the season, Cuevas raised expectations when he pitched eight innings of five-hit ball with 10 strikeouts and one walk against the Daegu Samsung Electronics on March 21, and he has certainly settled down this month. Starting against the SSG Landers in Suwon on the 2nd and ending against the Lotte Giants in Busan on the 27th, he achieved a quality start plus in five consecutive games.
In particular, against the Hanwha Eagles in Daejeon on the 20th, he struck out 11 batters in seven innings, the most in a single game. With three no-hitters in five games, Kuehle is also being considered for the August MVP award for his steady delivery.
The entire team breathed a sigh of relief after Cuevas’ performance, which was satisfying in both content and outcome. The tired bullpen was relieved whenever Cuevas was on the mound, and in the meantime, KT continued to rack up wins.
Now KT and Cuevas look to September. With 33 games remaining, including Samsung on the 31st, it will be interesting to see if their high-flying streak can continue into the fall.