'Oh no,' is KIA suffering from the aftereffects of its winning streak? After a remarkable eight-game winning streak, a shocking four-game losing streak has ensued. → Today (23rd), the starting lineup underwent major changes. [Suwon Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Is this the aftereffect of a winning streak? The KIA Tigers, after surging on an impressive eight-game winning streak, have now fallen into a four-game losing streak. Cutting off the losing streak is the top priority. The team has unveiled a major change in its starting lineup.

KIA will face KT at the Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 23rd in an away regular-season game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

Following a 4-5 loss to the Doosan Bears at Jamsil on the 18th, KIA lost 3-6 the next day. After a day of rest, they collapsed in the bottom of the 11th inning of the match against KT in Suwon on the 21st, surrendering a walk-off home run to Kim Min-hyuk. On the 22nd, the bullpen struggled, allowing six runs in the seventh inning alone, and ultimately lost 3-8, bowing their heads.

KIA currently sits at 10 wins and 11 losses, with their winning percentage falling below .500 again, placing them alone in fifth in the league. Meanwhile, KT, which has succeeded in a two-game winning streak, leads the league alone with 15 wins and 6 losses.

Today, Lee Ui-ri will take the mound as the starting pitcher for KIA. The lineup for the offense is Dale (second baseman), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Kim Seon-bin (designated hitter), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Castro (left fielder), Na Sung-beom (right fielder), Lee Ho-yeon (first baseman), Ju Hyo-sang (catcher), and Park Min (shortstop). Notably, Dale has been placed at the leadoff spot. Dale celebrated his first home run on the KBO stage the previous day. Manager Lee Beom-ho of KIA instructed a defensive shift from shortstop to second base, which appears to have translated into offensive strength. Additionally, the shortstop position changed from Jung Hyun-chang to Park Min, and the catcher position changed from Han Jun-su to Ju Hyo-sang.

Starting pitcher Lee Ui-ri has made four starts this season, recording 1 win and 2 losses with an ERA of 7.24. Over a total of 13⅔ innings, he has allowed 18 hits (3 home runs), issued 12 walks, recorded 16 strikeouts, and surrendered 11 runs (11 earned). His WHIP stands at 2.20, and his batting average against is 0.321. Particularly encouraging was his scoreless performance in the previous game against Doosan on the 17th, where he pitched 5 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8 batters, securing his first win of the season. This is his first time facing KT this year.

Meanwhile, KT has named Song Hyo-jun as the starting pitcher. Their starting lineup consists of Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Kim Hyun-su (designated hitter), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Hiliard (center fielder), Oh Yun-seok (first baseman), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Jang Jun-won (third baseman), and Lee Kang-min (shortstop). Song Hyo-jun has recorded 2 wins and 0 losses with an ERA of 4.50 in four games this season. Over 22 innings, he has allowed 26 hits (2 home runs), issued 4 walks, recorded 22 strikeouts, and surrendered 11 runs (11 earned), with a WHIP of 1.36 and a batting average against of 0.295. This is his first appearance against KIA this year.

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*This content was translated by AI.