'After two straight losses, three in a row': Will LG pull off a "miraculous drama" reverse sweep at the true final game at Jamsil Stadium? [Preliminary Playoffs Game 2 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The LG Twins have ultimately fallen to the brink of elimination after losing both the first and second away games of the Preliminary Playoffs (best-of-five series). Now, there is only one option for LG to advance to the Playoffs. They must write a miraculous drama known as a "reverse sweep" by winning three consecutive games. The situation has reached a point where they may have to play what could be the true final game at Jamsil Stadium. Will they be able to achieve a turnaround in the remaining series?

LG lost 3-6 to the KIA Tigers in the second game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Preliminary Playoffs, held on the 18th at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field.

After losing 1-5 to KIA in the first game of the Preliminary Playoffs on the 17th, LG has recorded two losses in the series. Now, if LG loses even one of the remaining third, fourth, or fifth games, their baseball season will come to an end.

It was painful for LG that starting pitcher Im Chan-gyu collapsed early in the game. Im Chan-gyu, who is a "co-winner of the most wins" in this season's KBO League, suffered the death of his mother-in-law the previous day but took the mound and received enthusiastic applause from LG fans. However, he bowed his head after allowing five runs while giving up six hits and one walk during the time it took to record just one out.

Nevertheless, it was encouraging that the bullpen pitchers who followed Im Chan-gyu on the mound showed good form. Kennedy (1⅔ innings), Lee Woo-chan (1⅔ innings), Woo Kang-hoon (1⅓ innings), Son Ju-young (1 inning), Kim Gang-ryul (1 inning, 1 run allowed), and Kim Jin-soo (1 inning) took the mound in succession, allowing only two hits against the KIA lineup. Kennedy recorded one hit allowed, while Kim Gang-ryul recorded one hit allowed along with one run allowed.

However, the offense lacked focus. LG produced nine hits of varying lengths. This was one more than the eight hits hit by KIA. Park Hae-min and Koo Bon-hyeok each fought hard with three hits and a multi-hit game, respectively, but it was painful that they remained silent in scoring position.

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop of LG analyzed the cause of the defeat in an interview with reporters after the game, stating, "We allowed many runs in the first inning, but the bullpen pitchers afterwards held them to a minimum number of runs well. However, because the offense failed to score chasing runs, we had no choice but to play a difficult game overall."

He then explained regarding the timing of Im Chan-gyu's replacement, saying, "(The relief pitchers in the) bullpen needed time to warm up. The bench moved as quickly as possible to get the replacement timing right." He added, "Currently, the team does not have long-relief resources. So we chose the method of stopping them inning by inning. The bullpen pitchers each performed their roles sufficiently well," offering encouragement.

He also explained the background behind not using a pinch hitter in Lee Jae-won's at-bat during an 8th-inning opportunity with two outs and runners on first and second base, while the team trailed 3-6. Lee Jae-won secured a rare starting lineup spot on this day but remained silent with no hits in four at-bats and four strikeouts. He was also captured on camera wiping away tears in the dugout after finishing his at-bat.

Manager Yeom still defended the player. He said, "Lee Jae-won believed he could hit a big one," adding, "Right now, it is the postseason. The player himself can be said to be at a stage of experiencing a big stage. After the season is completely over, we plan to train extensively on areas that need improvement starting from the finishing training period."

Now, LG will play the third game of the Preliminary Playoffs at Jamsil Stadium at 6:30 p.m. on the 20th, after a day of rest. Manager Yeom answered "Carlos Karasco" when asked about the starting pitcher for the third game.

In the history of best-of-five Preliminary Playoffs, the team that won both the first and second games advanced to the Playoffs in seven out of nine instances. There have been two reverse sweeps, and Doosan Bears were the protagonists in both cases. Doosan succeeded in winning three consecutive games after losing two in the Preliminary Playoffs against Lotte Giants in 2009 and Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom Heroes) in 2013, stepping onto the Playoffs stage.

Jamsil Stadium will disappear into history at the end of this season. If LG loses the game on the 20th, it will truly be the last KBO game at Jamsil. Will LG be able to write a miraculous drama in the remaining series?

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original