KT to Face Samsung: Jang Seong-woo to Start on Bench, Choi Won-jun and Kim Min-hyuk Named as Table Setters [KS1 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The KT Wiz, aiming for a unified championship as the regular season's number one team, announced their starting lineup to gain an early advantage in the 2026 Korea Series.

KT will play the first game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven) against the Samsung Lions at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 3rd.

Facing Samsung, KT arranged their batting order as follows: Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Ahn Hyun-min (designated hitter), Sam Hilliard (center fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Jang Jun-won (shortstop).

In the first game, "Captain" Jang Seong-woo is initially excluded from the starting lineup and will wait on the bench. While Jang boasts exceptional power hitting, his slow speed due to a power-hitter's swing poses a significant risk of double plays. Conversely, with Ahn Hyun-min moving to designated hitter and Kim Min-hyuk entering as left fielder, veteran-of-veterans Kim Hyun-soo was placed in the fifth spot.

This completes a gapless top of the order from first through fifth. It is a choice that aligns with Manager Lee's style, who hopes players will confidently attack pitches coming into the strike zone rather than taking walks. Additionally, Kim Min-hyuk, whom Manager Lee cites as the team's "number one contact hitter," can produce more synergy in the table setter role with number one Choi Won-jun than Kim Hyun-soo could. In defense, KT also added stability by constructing an outfield line of Kim Min-hyuk, Hilliard, and Choi Won-jun.

KT will field foreign ace Daniel Davis as the starting pitcher for the first game, which carries the heavy responsibility of gaining an early advantage. Davis, who checked his perfect command in a practice game against Sangmu on October 27 by pitching five scoreless innings with 62 pitches, two walks, and 10 strikeouts, will take the mound to shut down Samsung's lineup. In response, Samsung has announced Choi Won-tae as their starter.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.View Original