Samsung Heads to Gwangju: 'Sudden Change in Playoffs Game 3 Lineup' — Why Was the Third Baseman Replaced? 'Kang Min-ho Also Moved Up One Spot' — A Bold Move [Playoffs Game 3 On-Site]

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The Samsung Lions have revealed their starting lineup for the decisive third game of the best-of-five Playoffs series against the KIA Tigers.

Samsung will face KIA in Game 3 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Playoffs at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field at 6:30 p.m. on the 29th.

Samsung and KIA are currently tied 1-1 after splitting the first two games of the Playoffs. Samsung lost to KIA 1-5 in Game 1, but won Game 2 by a score of 8-3.

For this game, Samsung's starting lineup is as follows: Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Park Seung-gyu (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (designated hitter), Lewin Diaz (first baseman), Choi Hyeong-woo (left fielder), Kang Min-ho (catcher), Jeon Byung-woo (third baseman), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), and Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop).

In the Playoffs Game 2 held at home on the 27th, Samsung's starting lineup was: Kim Ji-chan (center fielder) - Park Seung-gyu (right fielder) - Koo Ja-wook (designated hitter) - Diaz (first baseman) - Choi Hyeong-woo (left fielder) - Kim Young-woong (third baseman) - Kang Min-ho (catcher) - Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman) - Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop).

Compared to Game 2, the batting order from No. 1 through No. 5 remains the same. Kang Min-ho, who batted seventh in Game 2, has moved up one spot to sixth. The change in starting third baseman is notable. Instead of Kim Young-woong in Game 2, Jeon Byung-woo will take over the hot corner in Game 3. The No. 8 and No. 9 spots, occupied by Ryu Ji-hyuk and Lee Jae-hyuk respectively, are identical to those in Game 2.

Samsung's starting pitcher is Choi Won-tae. This season, Choi has appeared in 24 games, recording a 7-5 record with an ERA of 4.68. Over 125 innings pitched, he allowed 134 hits (including 14 home runs), issued 45 walks, struck out 119 batters, and gave up 71 runs (65 earned). His walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) stands at 1.43, with a batting average against of 0.278. He has achieved eight quality starts (defined as pitching at least six innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs). Against KIA this year, however, he has been somewhat underperforming, appearing in three games with a 1-1 record and an ERA of 8.10. In total, he pitched 13⅓ innings, allowing 17 hits (including 2 home runs), issuing 4 walks, striking out 9 batters, and giving up 13 runs (12 earned), with a batting average against of 0.315.

Meanwhile, facing Samsung, KIA has set its starting lineup as follows: Park Jae-hyun (left fielder), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Harold Castro (first baseman), Na Seung-beom (right fielder), Kim Sun-bin (designated hitter), Kim Gyu-seong (second baseman), Kim Tae-goon (catcher), and Ha Ju-seok (shortstop).

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original