
Starting lineup for Game 3 of professional baseball playoffs revealed
In the third game of the playoffs against the Samsung Lions, the KIA Tigers threw a game-winning move by targeting Choi Won-tae and placing fast hitters such as Park Jae-hyun, Kim Ho-ryeong, and Kim Do-young in the upper batting order.
AI-generated summary
The KIA Tigers revealed their starting lineup ahead of Game 3 of the professional baseball playoffs against the Samsung Lions.
The KIA Tigers will bet on quick-footed batters 1 to 3.
KIA manager Beom-ho Lee targeted Samsung starting pitcher Won-tae Choi in Game 3 of the professional baseball playoffs (PO, 3 wins out of 5) against the Samsung Lions at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do on the 29th, Jae-hyun Park (left fielder), Ho-ryeong Kim (center fielder), Do-young Kim (third baseman), Harold Castro (first baseman), Seong-beom Na (right fielder), and Seon-bin Kim (designated). The batting lineup was drawn in the following order: Kim Gyu-seong (second baseman) - Kim Tae-gun (catcher) - Ha Joo-seok (shortstop).
Although he only had no hits in two at-bats in two PO games, Ho-ryeong Kim, who hit well with two hits in four at-bats against Won-tae Choi in the regular season, as well as Kyu-seong Kim and Tae-gun Kim (2 hits in four at-bats), who were also strong against Won-tae Choi, took a place in the starting lineup.
Manager Lee said, "I was worried about whether to use Kim Sun-bin, who should be used as the designated hitter today, at number 2 or number 6. Horyeong hit Choi Won-tae's ball well this season, and I thought 'fast baseball' would be necessary if he got on base in front," and placed his hopes on the fast players including Park Jae-hyun, Kim Ho-ryeong, and Kim Do-young.
Regarding KIA starting pitcher Keisho Shirakawa, Manager Lee said, "I think we should hold out for 3 runs in 5 innings," and added, "If the team falters a lot in the beginning, I will quickly send 4 to 5 pitchers to the bullpen and let the game go."
Manager Lee, who acknowledged that none of the current bullpen pitchers have as much skill as Shirakawa, expected Shirakawa to pitch well as it was his 9th day on the mound after pitching well against the LG Twins on the 20th, allowing 1 run in 5 innings.
Regarding the starting pitcher for Game 4 on the 30th, Manager Lee said, "It depends on how we get through this important day," and indicated that he was still considering whether to use Yang Hyun-jong or bring in James Nail early as planned.
Manager Lee continued to show trust, saying, “If we don’t use Kwak Do-gyu and Lee Ui-ri, we won’t be able to break Samsung’s left-handed batting center line,” and emphasized, “It’s important not to send out runners in front of Koo Ja-wook and Choi Hyeong-woo.”
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Decision to appoint Yang Hyun-jong or introduce James Nail early
Possible · Within days

Professional baseball Samsung Lions starting pitcher Choi Won-tae was kicked early after throwing 38 pitches in 1⅔ innings and allowing 2 runs in the 3rd game of the 2026 KBO League postseason playoffs against the KIA Tigers.

Samsung Lions pitcher Chris Paddack expressed doubt Thursday about pitching on short rest in Game 4 of the KBO postseason series against the Kia Tigers following a tough outing in Game 1.

Kia Tigers captain Na Sung-bum expressed hope for early offense against the Samsung Lions ahead of a pivotal KBO postseason game in Gwangju, as the best-of-five series stands tied 1-1.

Kia Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho stated he is counting on left-handed relievers Lee Eui-lee and Kwak Do-gyu to regain form against the Samsung Lions' left-heavy postseason lineup.

Pohang Steelers lost 0-3 in the away game against Kashima Antlers in the third game of the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) league stage, recording their third consecutive loss in the competition.

The 2026 APBC national baseball team, led by coach Won-ho Choi, completed the formation of its coaching staff and held its first meeting on the 28th. A total of eight coaches, including head coach Cho Seong-hwan, have been appointed, and camp training will begin in Daejeon on the 2nd of next month.