An Woo-jin of the Kiwoom Heroes and Gwak Been of the Doosan Bears, two of the KBO League's premier right-handed fireballers, will face each other as starting pitchers for the first time since their professional debuts.

It is literally a blockbuster matchup created by rain.

An was originally scheduled to start in today's game against Doosan in Jamsil, while Gwak's turn in the rotation was set for tomorrow.

After the game was washed out due to rain, An's start was pushed back by a day, setting up the showdown with Gwak.

This marks the first time the two players, who entered the league together in 2018, will square off as starting pitchers.

An was the first to blossom brilliantly as a starting pitcher.

In 2022, An dominated the league with 15 wins, 9 losses, 196 innings pitched, 224 strikeouts, and a 2.11 ERA across 30 games, capturing the titles for strikeouts and ERA.

He also claimed the pitcher's Golden Glove that year.

After continuing his strong performance in 2023 with 9 wins, 7 losses, and a 2.39 ERA, he underwent elbow surgery due to an injury. Following military service and another surgery, he has returned to the mound this season.

Though he is struggling in what is essentially a rehabilitation season with a lack of run support, posting 3 wins, 6 losses, and a 3.39 ERA, he continues to display his undeniable presence every time he takes the mound.

An also holds the record for the fastest pitch by a KBO League starting pitcher in the 2026 season, reaching 160.3 km/h.

Gwak is putting up the most dominant numbers this year since An's standout performance in 2022.

With 10 wins, 5 losses, 135 innings pitched, 161 strikeouts, and a 2.33 ERA in 23 games, he currently leads the league in both ERA and strikeouts.

Gwak is also the owner of the second-fastest maximum velocity by a starting pitcher this season at 159.1 km/h.

Baseball fans are hoping that An and Gwak, who represent modern South Korean baseball, will deliver a pitching duel to rival the legendary matchup between Sun Dong-yol and Choi Dong-won some 40 years ago.

Due to the cancellation of all games today due to rain, a series of marquee matchups featuring team-leading pitchers have been lined up across other stadiums.

In Busan, Carlos Carrasco of the LG Twins and Kim Jin-wuk of the Lotte Giants will face off tomorrow, while Pedro Avila of the SSG Landers and Adam Oller of the KIA Tigers will square off in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do.

In Daegu, Logan Allen of the kt wiz and Chris Paddack of the Samsung Lions will meet, and in Daejeon, Riley Thompson of the NC Dinos and Park Jun-young of the Hanwha Eagles will greet baseball fans.

(Photo: Yonhap News)