Samsung gets a boost! Choi Hyung-woo makes a surprise return as the No. 4 designated hitter, forming a fearsome left-handed lineup with Koo Ja-wook and Diaz... Park Se-hyuk starts at catcher

*This content was translated by AI.

Samsung Lions appear to have significantly boosted their lineup firepower to shake off the bitter disappointment of a comeback loss in yesterday's (4th) game. Choi Hyung-woo (43), the savior who had completely sat out on the 4th, has returned to the heart of the lineup just one day later.

Ahead of their matchup against LG Twins at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 5th in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League', Samsung announced its starting lineup for the day. On this day, Samsung set its lineup as follows: 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 Park Se-hyuk (catcher).

Compared to the game on the 4th, Choi Hyung-woo made a surprise return as the No. 4 designated hitter, adding weight to the heart of the lineup. In the 4th game, Samsung led 3-0 but surrendered four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and lost 3-4. They seized a golden opportunity with one out and runners on second base in the top of the ninth, but could not get a timely hit against LG's closer Ko Woo-seok. Choi Hyung-woo, who had been held back for conditioning purposes as a pinch-hitting option, was also unable to be used, and they fell on their knees by just one run.

In fact, Choi Hyung-woo had shown he was in good hitting form, batting .313 in August and getting hits in all three games played in September, which raised some questions. It is interpreted that his hip, which had been problematic throughout the season, was not in good condition, causing him to sit out entirely. Ahead of the game on the 5th, the following day, Choi Hyung-woo was seen going through normal training.

Samsung manager Park Jin-man placed Choi Hyung-woo immediately into the No. 4 spot after a day of rest, building a powerful 'left-handed cleanup trio' with Koo Ja-wook at No. 3, Choi Hyung-woo at No. 4, and Lewin Diaz at No. 5. This completes one of the league's top-tier center-of-the-lineup batteries that combine both precision and power. All players are left-handed batters except for the No. 7 hitter, Lee Jae-hyun.

Changes were also made to the home plate position. Instead of Kang Min-ho, who started the previous day but went hitless in three at-bats, Park Se-hyuk took over as the No. 9 hitter and starting catcher. Park Se-hyuk will form a battery with starting pitcher left-handed Lee Seung-hyun to face the LG lineup.

With the return of the savior and the construction of a fearsome left-handed lineup, Samsung is set to turn the tide. It remains highly intriguing whether they can avenge their one-run narrow loss from the previous day.

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*This content was translated by AI.