'Samsung, 0.5 Game Behind the Leader KT, Deploys Park Se-hyuk as Starting Catcher and Brings Back Lee Jae-hyun → Aims to Overtake Kiwoom! Park Seung-kyu and Kim Sung-yoon Placed as Table Setters'

*This content was translated by AI.

The Samsung Lions continue their charge to reclaim the top spot. After drawing a 3-3 tie in yesterday's game (25th), Samsung, which had narrowed the gap to just 0.5 games behind first-place KT Wiz, now targets a return to first place against last-place Kiwoom Heroes.

Samsung will face Kiwoom Heroes in the second of a three-game midweek road series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, on the 27th. In yesterday's game (26th), Samsung recorded a tight 3-3 tie against Kiwoom. Although they failed to secure three consecutive wins, they succeeded in narrowing the gap with first-place KT from one full game to just 0.5 games by avoiding defeat. A victory today would offer a prime opportunity to leap directly to the top of the standings depending on other results.

At this critical juncture for reclaiming the lead, Samsung made significant changes to its starting lineup to make a decisive move. Veteran catcher Park Se-hyuk, who was registered with the first team yesterday, will start behind the plate for the first time since joining the team. Today's Samsung lineup features Park Seung-kyu (center fielder), Kim Sung-yoon (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Lewin Diaz (first baseman), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Kim Young-woong (third baseman), Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop), and Park Se-hyuk (catcher) in that order.

In the infield, Lee Jae-hyun will start at shortstop to bolster solid defense and provide offensive support. Veteran catcher Park Se-hyuk, batting ninth, will take over from Kang Min-ho to ensure stability behind the plate and serve as a link for the lower part of the lineup.

Taking the mound under the heavy responsibility of reclaiming the lead is Samsung's starting pitcher, veteran right-hander Choi Won-tae (29), known as a 'former Kiwoom player.' Debuting in the pros after being selected first overall by Nexen (now Kiwoom) in 2015, Choi Won-tae served as the native ace for the Hero Army. After moving to LG in the 2023 season via trade, he now wears a Samsung uniform and steps onto the mound at his former home ground, Gocheok.

Choi Won-tae has recorded 4 wins and 4 losses with an ERA of 4.67 in 18 games this season. He has faced Kiwoom three times this year, posting a strong record of 1 win with no losses and an ERA of 2.65. However, during his only start at Gocheok on July 21, he allowed six hits (two home runs) over 4⅔ innings, struck out five batters, and gave up four earned runs without a decision. Today, he carries the special mission to avenge that outing and lead the team's leap to first place.

Meanwhile, prior to today's game, Samsung removed outfielder Ham Su-ho from its first-team roster. It remains to be seen whether Samsung, which is pressing closely on the leader with just a 0.5-game gap, can secure a victory at Gocheok and claim the top spot.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.