'Five-game winning streak → 9 wins, 4 losses in September' LG: 'The most important thing is (the late) Woo Seok...' Five-inning lead record shows 'stability has changed' [Jamsil on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The expression of Yeom Kyung-yeop (58), manager of the LG Twins, has changed dramatically in just over a month. It is no exaggeration to call it the 'Woo Seok effect.' Since Woo Seok (28) joined the team, LG has noticeably improved.

LG has played 129 games with a record of 73 wins, 55 losses, and 1 tie, holding third place. Although they are four games ahead of second-place Samsung Lions, they have also extended their lead over fourth-place KIA Tigers by three games as they work to solidify their standing.

Especially decisive was their recent five-game winning streak. During the winning streak, they scored 41 runs, averaging more than eight points per game.

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop met with reporters ahead of a home game against the Hanwha Eagles at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 19th for the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League, saying, "What has improved is that even players who were not previously hitting well are stepping up in rotation," giving a thumbs-up to the lineup.

However, the most significant change is Woo Seok's return. Woo Seok, who had left the team to pursue opportunities in the United States, rejoined during his third season. Although he will not be able to participate in autumn baseball, he has provided LG with clear stability during a shaky late-season stretch.

Since returning, Woo Seok has appeared in five games, pitching 7⅓ innings with two wins, no losses, one save, and one hold, while recording zero earned runs.

With Woo Seok's return, LG has built an ironclad bullpen. In September, the ERA of LG's bullpen was 7.06, ranking ninth. However, they now have the strength to reliably secure wins. In games where they took a lead by the seventh inning, they went 8-0; in games where they led by the fifth inning, they went 7-0, both ranking first.

Manager Yeom said, "The most important thing is that since Woo Seok came in to stabilize things from the middle, other players are also performing well," smiling contentedly.

LG set its starting lineup for the day as Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (designated hitter), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Moon Jung-bin (first baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Koo Bon-hyeok (third baseman), Park Dong-won (catcher), and Lee Jae-won (right fielder). Im Chan-kyu will make the starting pitching appearance.

Hong Chang-gi starts from the bench. Manager Yeom said, "His back is not doing well, so he should rest until tomorrow," adding, "He felt it while playing yesterday. He says moving sideways is fine, but bending down is painful."

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*This content was translated by AI.