'Kim Ho-ryeong ultimately left out' Kim Do-young moved up to No. 2 in bold move! KIA Tigers, on the brink, reveal starting lineup → Han Jun-su as designated hitter, Kim Tae-goon as catcher [PO4 On-site]

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The KIA Tigers, facing a do-or-die situation in the playoffs with a record of one win and two losses, unveiled a bold card by readjusting their batting order. The team calculated that moving Kim Do-young, the "core of their offense" and superstar, up to the No. 2 spot would maximize scoring production from the early stages of the game. Outfielder Kim Ho-ryeong, who struck out in four consecutive at-bats on the previous day (the 29th), was left off the starting lineup.

The KIA Tigers revealed their starting lineup ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Playoffs against the Samsung Lions, scheduled to be held at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 30th.

On this day, the KIA Tigers arranged their batting order as follows: Park Jae-hyun (left fielder) - Kim Do-young (third baseman) - Harold Castro (first baseman) - Na Seong-beom (right fielder) - Kim Sun-bin (second baseman) - Han Jun-su (designated hitter) - Ha Ju-seok (shortstop) - Kim Tae-goon (catcher) - Park Jeong-woo (center fielder). James Neal will take the mound as the starting pitcher.

The most notable change is in the top of the order. Kim Ho-ryeong, who started Game 3 on the 29th as the No. 2 hitter and center fielder, was ultimately left off the starting roster. It is interpreted that his four consecutive strikeouts had an impact. In his place, Kim Do-young, who had been in the No. 3 spot, moved up one position to the No. 2 slot.

As a result, the KIA Tigers established a table-setting duo consisting of Park Jae-hyun and Kim Do-young. They then grouped Castro, Na Seong-beom, and Kim Sun-bin as their middle order to increase destructive power. Veteran Kim Sun-bin, who played as the designated hitter in Game 3, returned to his original defensive position at second base, adding stability to the infield. It appears his physical condition has improved.

Changes were also made to the lower half of the batting order. Catcher Han Jun-su, who is hitting well, was suddenly added to the starting lineup as the No. 6 designated hitter. Following him, Ha Ju-seok and Kim Tae-goon will handle battery stability and clutch ability in the bottom of the order, while Park Jeong-woo was selected as the No. 9 hitter for the center fielder position vacated by Kim Ho-ryeong.

Attention is turning to whether the KIA Tigers, who have pulled out a major overhaul of their lineup and their ace card in a situation where they are on the verge of elimination from the series, can extend the contest to Game 5, which will be held in Daegu, by winning at home.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original