'3 Hits, Lee Hyung-jong; Game-winning hit, Kim Geon-hee excluded' Kiwoom LINE-up revealed for 6-game winning streak challenge! New foreign investor registration date for 50 home runs in MLB also set [Jamsil]

*This content was translated by AI.

After a 5-game winning streak for the first time in two years, the Kiwoom Heroes are now aiming for a 6-game winning streak.

On the 23rd, Kiwoom revealed its starting lineup ahead of its away game against the LG Twins at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

On this day, Kiwoom set its batting order as Seo Geon-chang (second baseman), Lee Hyung-jong (designated hitter), Im Byung-wook (right fielder), Choi Ju-hwan (first baseman), Kim Woong-bin (third baseman), Park Ju-hong (center fielder), Jeon Tae-hyun (left fielder), Park Sung-bin (catcher), and Kwon Hyuk-bin (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Bae Dong-hyun.

In response, LG set its batting order as Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (first baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Park Dong-won (catcher), Lee Young-bin (third baseman), Gu Bon-hyeok (second baseman), Moon Jeong-bin (designated hitter), and Song Chan-ui (left fielder). The starting pitcher is Im Chan-kyu.

The two key players who led the 7-0 victory the previous day (22nd) are absent. Lee Hyung-jong recorded 3 hits in 4 at-bats with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored, while Kim Geon-hee had 2 hits in 5 at-bats with 2 RBIs, 1 strikeout, and 1 run scored, including the game-winning hit. They had previously led Kiwoom to a 5-game winning streak, the first since July 2, 2024, against LG at Gocheok Sky Dome, a span of 689 days.

The recent upward trend has been largely driven by the performances of promising players who had long been expected. In particular, first-round draft pick Im Byung-wook (31) has been performing exceptionally well with a .295 batting average (23 hits in 78 at-bats), 3 home runs, 8 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.853 over 24 games.

Before the game, Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin smiled and said, "Im Byung-wook is a player who has always been highly anticipated. He has suffered many injuries in the past, but this year he has managed his body well and is playing full time. He is a player who has worked very hard. Despite the difficult situation of shuttling between the first and second divisions, he did not give up until the end and seized his opportunity. As a manager who has watched him for a long time, I am truly pleased."

Meanwhile, new foreign hitter Keston Hiura (30), who joined on the 18th and has a career of 50 home runs in Major League Baseball (MLB), is expected to be registered with the first division team imminently. Currently undergoing the work visa issuance process, he is traveling with the first division team.

Manager Seol stated firmly, "He seems eager to play. His physical condition appears to be fine, but the key is the visa issuance. The club is also moving quickly, so we expect him to join by the latter half of next week or, at the latest, early June."

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*This content was translated by AI.