"I was genuinely worried Kang Min-ho might collapse, and it is also a 2 p.m. game..." Manager Park Jin-man explains why he left out the 41st-year-old veteran catcher [KS4 On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Even a veteran catcher who had solidly guarded home plate needed time to catch his breath in the face of accumulated fatigue and injury. The Samsung Lions, led by Manager Park Jin-man (50), made a bold decision as they move to secure their lead in Game 4 of the Korea Series. Although Kang Min-ho (41) was unable to hit normally due to an injury, he was rested once for physical management purposes.

Samsung takes on KT Wiz in Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven format) on the 7th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. After losing Game 1 in a slugfest with a score of 7-8, Samsung won Game 2 by a narrow margin of 3-2 and then delivered a decisive 5-1 victory in Game 3 held on the 6th, turning the series around to lead 2-1. Riding this momentum, the team is determined to secure three consecutive wins to take an early 3-0 lead and make significant strides toward the championship trophy.

On this day, Samsung set its starting lineup as Kim Ji-chan (center fielder) - Park Seung-gyu (right fielder) - Koo Ja-wook (designated hitter) - Choi Hyeong-woo (left fielder) - Lewin Diaz (first baseman) - Kim Young-woong (third baseman) - Lee Jae-hyeon (shortstop) - Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman) - Kim Do-hwan (catcher). Park Seung-gyu made a surprise start in the second spot as right fielder, replacing Kim Seong-yoon. Most notably, starting catcher Kang Min-ho was left off the active roster. Instead, Kim Do-hwan will wear the mask as the ninth batter and starting catcher.

The most eye-catching decision is undoubtedly the exclusion of Kang Min-ho from the starting lineup. Kang Min-ho has struggled with a severe hitting slump in the three games of this Korea Series, going 0-for-6 (with one hit by pitch). Due to a known rib injury, he has been unable to execute a normal swing trajectory at the plate, raising concerns among fans. Nevertheless, Manager Park Jin-man showed unwavering trust in Kang Min-ho through Game 3 of the Korea Series on the previous day (the 6th). This was because, unlike his hitting, he provided irreplaceable stability in defense and pitcher handling. Despite his discomfort, Kang Min-ho has guarded home plate for a total of 66 innings across eight games this postseason.

However, the situation was different on this day. Following a night game the previous day, the team faced an afternoon game starting at 2 p.m., and they could not ignore the physical condition of a veteran who had reached his limits. Ahead of Game 4 of the Korea Series, Manager Park Jin-man met with reporters and explained the background of his decision regarding Kang Min-ho: "He really looked like he was about to collapse. Since today is a 2 p.m. game following yesterday's night game, I judged that rest was absolutely necessary." This consideration for the dedicated veteran also serves as a strategic break to preserve victory in a long series. It also appears related to the fact that Won Tae-in is scheduled to be the starting pitcher for Game 5 of the Korea Series on the 8th.

Having given Kang Min-ho time to catch his breath, Samsung's card from the mound on this day is a "bullpen day." The first starter will be 19-year-old rookie Jang Chan-hee, who makes a surprise appearance as the starting pitcher. Samsung plans to tie down KT's lineup with an all-out effort by deploying its relief corps, led by Jang Chan-hee and including Yang Chang-seop and Choi Won-tae, from the early stages of the game. With Won Tae-in set to start Game 5 and Chris Fiddick set to start Game 6, the team's determination to firmly secure a favorable 3-1 lead in Game 4 is evident.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original