‘Samsung’s Choi Hyeong-woo steps up’ → KIA strengthens defense with Kim Ho-ryeong card… Only middle of the order produced runs for KIA, lineup changed as they aim for two-game winning streak [PO2 KIA starting lineup]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The underdog KIA Tigers, who secured a victory on enemy territory, immediately countered with changes to the Samsung Lions’ lineup.

KIA announced its starting LINEUP ahead of the second game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason PO (best-of-five series) against the Samsung Lions, scheduled for the 27th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.

Although the team’s offense gained momentum from the early stages of the previous day’s game to secure a decisive 5-1 victory, all runs were generated by the middle of the order.

KIA manager Lee Beom-ho (45) said after the win, “We can judge whether we can score in bulk depending on whether the table setters perform as expected,” adding, “It is important that the condition of the No. 1 and No. 2 hitters improves. I will have to think about it until tomorrow, but because they showed good form defensively, there was no psychological instability. I think we should push forward in that manner until tomorrow.”

However, changes were made to the lineup. KIA set its starting LINEUP as Park Jae-hyun (left fielder) - Lee Ho-yeon (designated hitter) - Kim Do-young (third baseman) - Harold Castro (first baseman) - Na Seong-beom (right fielder) - Kim Sun-bin (second baseman) - Han Jun-su (catcher) - Ha Ju-seok (shortstop) - Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder).

Kim Ho-ryeong was inserted in place of Park Jeong-u. Kim Ho-ryeong had not been hitting well toward the end of the season. This can be seen as a move to strengthen defense. Kim Ho-ryeong is at the league’s strongest level in terms of defensive ability.

Instead, Park Jae-hyun takes the No. 1 hitter spot. He has struggled with three hits in 18 at-bats in fall baseball, but he performed excellently throughout the season and made a fantastic diving catch defensively the previous day, so he was given another starting opportunity on this day.

Han Jun-su forms the battery alongside starter Adam Oler, while Lee Ho-yeon takes the designated hitter spot.

KIA has gained an advantageous position with its PO Game 1 victory. In the history of best-of-five PO series, the probability of a team winning the first game advancing to the Korea Series reached 77.1% (27/35).

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original