Will Kim Do-young claim a double crown, or go without? A single hit for his "100th career home run" is desperately needed

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Double crown, or no title at all?

"Superstar" Kim Do-young (23, KIA Tigers) is set to take the field in a game that is critically important for both his team and himself.

The 2026 KBO League regular season will conclude on the 12th with three games: Gwangju (KIA vs. LG Twins), Daegu (Samsung Lions vs. KT Wiz), and Jamsil (Doosan Bears vs. Lotte Giants). With the teams finishing in third and seventh place yet to be determined, the recipients of several individual titles could also change based on the outcome of this final game.

Among these, whether Kim Do-young will win an award is drawing attention. He currently leads jointly with 44 home runs alongside Hilliard (32, KT), and holds a solo lead in slugging percentage at .643, edging out Austin (33, LG, .640) by three points. In runs scored, he sits second with 118, trailing leader Choi Won-jun (29, KT, 124) by six, making a reversal in a single game appear unlikely.

In the home run race, where Kim Do-young had been leading, Hilliard hit home runs in three consecutive at-bats, starting from his final at-bat in the eighth inning against Samsung in Suwon on the 7th through the second and third innings against Samsung in Daegu on the 11th, instantly tying him. Since KT's regular season championship has already been secured, he can aim for home runs with relatively less pressure in this final game as well.

The slugging percentage (total bases/at-bats) race is also tight. Assuming both players record four at-bats each in their head-to-head matchup, the ranking would flip if Austin records two more total bases than Kim Do-young. For Kim Do-young, the outcome of this single game will determine whether he claims a double crown in home runs and slugging percentage, or misses out on both.

It is not just his personal situation that is urgent. The Gwangju game on this day is a decisive match for third place. If both KIA and LG win, they can advance directly to the 준플레이오프 (Junior Playoffs). However, if they drop to fourth place, they will have to face Doosan in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series just two days later, on the 14th.

Ultimately, for Kim Do-young, a big hit is more desperately needed than ever. His recent form has not been bad. He hit a dramatic three-run home run in the ninth inning against LG at Jamsil on the 5th and has added three home runs in his last six games.

Moreover, Kim Do-young has recorded 99 career home runs since his debut in 2022. It will be interesting to see if he can achieve both securing third place for his team and celebrating his 100th home run, once again demonstrating the true worth of a "superstar."

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

*This content was translated by AI.View Original