[breaking news] Announcement of the starting lineup for the match against Taiwan! 'Injury aftermath' Moon Bo-kyung DH→ Kim Do-young placed 3rd base and Witcom 1st base

*This content was translated by AI.

The starting lineup against Taiwan, which will be the biggest watershed for advancing to the quarterfinals, has been confirmed. LG Twins' Moon Bo-kyung, who had been injured during the match against Japan the previous day (7th), was placed as the designated hitter, and Kim Do-young will enter the third base instead..

The Korean baseball team, led by head coach Ryu Ji-hyun (55), will play against Taiwan in the third Group C match of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Tokyo Dome, Japan, at 12 p.m. on the 8th.

Korea is Kim Do-young (third baseman, KIA Tigers)-The lineup was formed in the order of Germay Jones (left fielder, Detroit Tigers), Lee Jung-hoo (center fielder, San Francisco Giants), Ahn Hyun-min (right wing, KT Wiz), Shay Witcom (first baseman, Houston Astros), Moon Bo-kyung (designated hitter, LG Twins), Kim Joo-won (striker, NC Dinos), Park Dong-won (catcher, LG Twins), and Kim Hye-sung (second baseman, LA Dodgers).

The main variable in the lineup is infielder Moon Bo-kyung's position shift. Moon Bo-kyung, who was shocked by hitting the fence during the game the previous day, will start as the designated hitter, not the first baseman. Kim Do-young will be the third baseman and Witcom will be the first baseman, respectively.

Coach Ryu Ji-hyun said in an interview before the game, "You may have seen the game yesterday, but Moon Bo-kyung hit the fence and there was a little stimulus," adding, "We decided that it would be better not to put pressure on defense." As Moon Bo-kyung, who has a good batting sense, cannot be excluded from the lineup, the plan is to maximize the offense by reducing the burden of defense.

Coach Ryu Ji-hyun expressed strong confidence in the physical fitness issues that are feared amid a tight schedule. Director Ryu said, "It was a schedule I already knew. As I prepared for the competition, I was fully aware that I had to take a good rest," he explained.

"I saw the players' meals not much different from usual. I don't have a big physical problem, and I believe I will do well today," he said, expressing deep trust in the players.

Finally, coach Ryu Ji-hyun said, "My belief in the players does not change. Even if you lose to Japan, you won't be swayed. The players must be well aware of it. If I had won, I would have said to focus more. Just before the start of the game, captain Lee Jung-hoo talks a lot. I'm happy to see those things from behind," he added.

Amid the enthusiastic support from fans of both teams that will fill the Tokyo Dome, baseball fans are paying keen attention to whether South Korea will be able to target Taiwan's right-hander ace and win the game.

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*This content was translated by AI.