Can Choi Min-seok break his 10-win curse? Pitcher struggles amid slump

Doosan Bears pitcher Choi Min-seok is facing a difficult hurdle in his quest for a 10-win season, with his recent performances showing a stark contrast to his earlier success. After a promising start where he pitched six scoreless innings, Choi has struggled in his subsequent outings.

In his latest game on September 30 against the SSG Landers, Choi was the starting pitcher but lasted only 4⅓ innings. He gave up 6 hits, including one home run, and allowed 3 runs. This performance followed a previous outing where he gave up 10 runs in just 2⅔ innings, highlighting a significant dip in his form.

Despite the string of disappointing results, Choi's coach has urged him to stay focused and avoid succumbing to superstition. The advice is to not overly concern himself with a "jinx" or the pressure of reaching the 10-win milestone, suggesting that mental fortitude is as crucial as physical execution at this stage of the season.