Finally, the 'four-game winning streak challenge' starting lineup features no fewer than eight right-handed batters. Why? The manager reveals the reason directly. [Gwangju Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Doosan Bears placed no fewer than eight right-handed batters in the starting lineup.

Doosan will face the KIA Tigers in an away regular-season game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field at 6:30 p.m. on the 13th.

The day before (on the 12th), Doosan secured a 5-1 victory over KIA in the first of a three-game midweek series, gaining the upper hand. The team aims to clinch the winning series today. Doosan is currently riding a three-game winning streak.

Today, Doosan set its starting lineup in the following order: Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Park Ji-hoon (third baseman), Park Jun-soon (second baseman), Cameron (right fielder), Yang Eui-ji (designated hitter), Kang Seung-ho (first baseman), Jung Soobin (center fielder), Yoon Jun-ho (catcher), and Lee Yu-chan (left fielder). The starting pitcher is Choi Jun-ho.

Compared to the previous day, Park Ji-hoon was moved up to the second spot in the batting order, replacing Kim Min-seok. Additionally, Hong Seong-ho, who started as the designated hitter the day before, was removed, and Yang Eui-ji took his place. At first base, Kang Seung-ho will take over from Oh Myeong-jin.

With the exception of the sole left-handed batter, Jung Soobin, Doosan placed only right-handed batters in the lineup. The starting pitcher for KIA today is the 'veteran' Yang Hyeon-jong.

Before the game, Doosan manager Kim Won-hyung explained, "Yang Hyeon-jong is a pitcher who truly performs well regardless of whether the batter is left-handed or right-handed. Rather than thinking in terms of left-right matchups, there is a slight aspect that our left-handed batters still lack in adapting to left-handed pitchers. That is why we placed so many right-handed batters."

Choi Jun-ho, who will start today, graduated from Onyang Oncheon Elementary School, Onyang Middle School, and Bukil High School before joining Doosan as the 9th overall pick in the first round of the 2023 rookie draft. His signing bonus was 200 million won.

In the 2024 season, he recorded 3 wins and 6 losses with an ERA of 5.10 (72 1/3 innings, 41 earned runs) across 17 games. In the 2025 season, he posted 1 win and 2 losses with an ERA of 8.44 (16 innings, 15 earned runs) in 9 games. This season, he appeared in all 5 games as a relief pitcher, recording 1 win with no losses and an ERA of 1.13. Over a total of 8 innings, he allowed 5 hits, 1 walk, and 10 strikeouts, while surrendering only 1 run (1 earned run). His detailed statistics include a WHIP of 0.75 and a batting average against of 0.179.

Manager Kim said regarding Choi Jun-ho, "We are considering around 60 pitches. Choi Jun-ho has some experience, but this is his first start of the season. So, in my view, I would like him to try doing things his own way. I hope he goes out on the mound, throws what he wants to throw, even shaking his head while doing so, and pitches freely up to 60 pitches. That is why I chose Jun-ho," expressing his expectations.

Meanwhile, facing Doosan, KIA set its starting lineup in the following order: Park Jae-hyun (left fielder), Park Sang-jun (first baseman), Kim Seon-bin (second baseman), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Adellin (designated hitter), Na Sung-beom (right fielder), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Kim Tae-gun (catcher), and Kim Gyu-seong (shortstop).

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*This content was translated by AI.