After LG's eight-game winning streak ended, second baseman GG, batting .173, was finally left out of the lineup... 24-year-old power-hitting infielder to start [Jamsil Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Will the eight-game winning streak be broken? LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) unexpectedly excluded Golden Glove second baseman Shin Min-jae (30) from the starting lineup.

LG announced its starting lineup ahead of the home game against the Lotte Giants at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 16th for the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

On this day, LG constructed its lineup with Park Hae-min (second baseman), Moon Sung-ju (left fielder), Austin Dean (first baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (designated hitter), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Cheon Seong-ho (third baseman), Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Park Dong-won (catcher), and Lee Young-bin (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Yoni Chirinos.

It is striking that Shin Min-jae, who has played exclusively at second base throughout this season, is completely absent. Starting as a developmental player, Shin Min-jae was named the KBO Golden Glove second baseman last year and was regarded as the Cinderella of manager Yeom Kyung-yeop's team. However, this season he has been plagued by severe slumps, posting a .173 batting average (9 hits in 52 at-bats) in 15 games, with 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored, 2 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 0.432.

The spot was filled by infielder Lee Young-bin (24), who possesses potential as a power hitter. Lee made his second start since the Changwon NC Dinos game on the 8th and is currently batting .500 (2 hits in 4 at-bats).

LG halted its 8-game winning streak and unbeaten run on the previous day (15th) after being held scoreless by Lotte starting pitcher Kim Jin-wook, who allowed only three hits. Before the game, manager Yeom Kyung-yeop expressed regret, saying, "Given the timing, batters should have found their rhythm by now," and added, "The batters said they couldn't time Kim Jin-wook's pitches. Koo Bon-hyeok couldn't time them at all and struck out while standing still."

He added, "Hong Chang-gi kept avoiding me. His pitches were good, his decision-making was good, and he had great control, so everything was good. With two strikes, he would hit the corner perfectly."

Moon Bo-kyung, who was injured while making a play on a foul ball the previous day, has seen his plan to return to third base go back to square one. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop expressed concern, stating, "Moon Bo-kyung was not doing well after yesterday's defense. He should be fine." He added, "For this week, he will go back to designated hitter. We will reassess in a week, then move him to first base next week. If Bo-kyung moves quickly to third base, Lee Jae-won will get a chance," lamenting the situation.

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*This content was translated by AI.