'Aiming for 8th consecutive win against Kiwoom': Samsung LINEup revealed! Only Kang Min-ho changed to Kim Do-hwan → Kim Baek-san aims for 2nd win

*This content was translated by AI.

The Samsung Lions are set to challenge for their eighth consecutive win against the Kiwoom Heroes. Ahead of their away game against Kiwoom in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League' on the 22nd at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, Samsung revealed its starting lineup.

Samsung secured a satisfying 8-6 victory in yesterday's (21st) game and is building momentum. For today's match, Samsung will field the same lineup as yesterday except for a change at catcher, aiming for an eighth consecutive win against Kiwoom.

Today's Samsung batting order was Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Kim Sung-yoon (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Diaz (first baseman), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop), Kim Young-woong (third baseman), and Kim Do-hwan (catcher). The starting pitcher is 'right-handed young star' Kim Baek-san (220). Compared to yesterday's (21st) lineup, Kim Do-hwan replaces Kang Min-han as the catcher, while Kim Baek-san takes the mound.

Kim Baek-san, who will take the mound today, is a highly anticipated player showing steeper growth than anyone this season and firmly establishing his presence. A graduate of Gangneung High School and Busan University of Science and Technology, he joined Samsung as a developmental player in 2025 and has exploded with potential this season. In 20 Futures League games, he recorded 3 wins, 2 losses, and an ERA of 2.78. Notably, in three September starts, he pitched 14 scoreless innings, earning his call-up to the first division.

Kim Baek-san seized his first opportunity in a game against NC Dinos on the 2nd, delivering a scoreless performance over 5⅔ innings with two hits allowed, four walks, and three strikeouts to earn his debut start victory. This marks only the second time in KBO League history that a developmental player has secured a starting win in their first division debut, following Hanwha's Park Jun-young. Since then, he has been selected for the 2026 KBO Futures All-Star Game and is enjoying an outstanding season. During the previous All-Star Game, Kim Baek-san told reporters in an interview, "It feels like a dream, and I'm truly happy. My debut game was so nerve-wracking that I couldn't breathe, but I pitched without any regrets." Following his powerful first appearance, he now aims for his second career win against Kiwoom.

Meanwhile, the home team Kiwoom will counter with foreign ace Raul Alcantara as their starting pitcher. Alcantara has recorded 8 wins and 6 losses with an ERA of 3.47 in 17 games this season. He also earned a win against Hanwha on the 16th, pitching six innings and allowing four runs. It remains to be seen how Samsung's lineup will perform against Alcantara, who is making his first appearance against them this year.

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*This content was translated by AI.