“Despite the sudden loss of his mother-in-law…” LG starter Im Chan-gyu takes the mound amid grief: “No change to starting lineup” [Playoff Game 2 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Im Chan-gyu (34), a co-leader in wins and a domestic ace for the LG Twins, has decided to take the mound despite the sorrow of losing his mother-in-law.

LG will face the KIA Tigers in Game 2 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League Playoffs (best-of-five series) at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 18th at 2 p.m.

After losing Game 1 on the 17th by a score of 1-5, LG enters Game 2 with one loss on the record. If they drop Game 2 as well, they will be pushed to the brink, making a turnaround essential.

In Game 2 of the Playoffs, LG will start Im Chan-gyu, while KIA will start Adam Ottavino.

This season, Im Chan-gyu appeared in 31 games, recording a 15-7 record with an ERA of 4.46. Over 169⅔ innings, he allowed 187 hits (13 home runs), issued 41 walks, struck out 102 batters, and gave up 86 runs (84 earned). His WHIP was 1.34, and the opposing batting average against him was 0.282. He achieved a quality start (six innings with three or fewer earned runs) on 13 occasions.

Against KIA this year, Im Chan-gyu appeared in two games, finishing with no wins, one loss, and an ERA of 6.23. In 8⅔ innings against KIA, he allowed 11 hits (2 home runs), issued one hit-by-pitch, struck out four batters, and gave up six runs (six earned). The opposing batting average against him was 0.306.

Im Chan-gyu lost his mother-in-law on the 17th. After Game 1 of the Playoffs on the 17th, the LG organization announced that Im Chan-gyu’s mother-in-law had passed away. The LG organization stated, “Im Chan-gyu’s mother-in-law, Choi Yoon-jeong, passed away at the age of 57. The wake is being held at Cheongdam-dong Cathedral, and the funeral will be on the 19th.”

Despite the grief of losing a family member, Im Chan-gyu is scheduled to take the mound with no changes to his starting appearance. An LG organization official said, “There are no changes to Im Chan-gyu’s start on the 18th.”

Im Chan-gyu’s most recent appearance was on the 12th. At that time, he started in the final regular-season game against KIA, pitching 3⅓ innings while allowing four hits (one home run), issuing one hit-by-pitch, striking out two batters, and giving up two runs (two earned). He left the mound without a decision after facing 15 batters and throwing 52 pitches. After five days of rest, he will take the mound again this time.

Will Im Chan-gyu be able to overcome his pain and secure a victory? If LG wins alongside Im Chan-gyu’s strong pitching, they will reset the series record to 1-1 and head to Jamsil for Game 3 of the Playoffs. This means LG will have another chance to turn things around at home. Game 3 of the Playoffs will begin on the 20th, following one day of rest.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original