The professional baseball KIA Tigers, struggling with a three-game losing streak, faced a minor setback. Starting second baseman Kim Sun-bin (36) will also take a day off due to leg pain.
KIA's starting lineup for the game against Hanwha in Daejeon on the 29th includes Choi Won-jun (center fielder), Seo Geon-chang (second baseman), Na Sung-bum (right fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Patrick Wisdom (first baseman), Lee Woo-sung (right fielder), Han Jun-soo (catcher), Hong Jong-pyo (third baseman), and Kim Gyu-sung (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Yang Hyeon-jong.
On the previous day (28th), Kim Sun-bin, who had been substituted for physical management before the sixth inning in the game against Hanwha, was not included in the starting lineup on this day. KIA manager Lee Beom-ho noted, "Since his leg is not feeling well, it seems necessary for him to rest today. We'll have to check how he feels tomorrow (30th)."
Kim Sun-bin has been performing exceptionally well in the early part of this season. In six games, he has a batting average of .435 (10 hits in 23 at-bats), 5 RBIs, 4 walks, an on-base percentage of .519, a slugging percentage of .522, and an OPS of 1.041. He played as the leadoff hitter in the last two games, but will take a day off for precautionary reasons.
Choi Won-jun has taken the leadoff spot, and Seo Geon-chang has received his second starting opportunity of the season after being assigned to the second batting order against Kiwoom in Gwangju on the 25th. He is slotted in the second order as a second baseman for his first outing of the season, forming a table setter with Choi Won-jun.
KIA, which is currently on a three-game losing streak, started the season poorly with a record of 2 wins and 4 losses in the opening six games. With injuries to key players such as Kim Do-young (hamstring) and Park Chan-ho (knee), the batting lineup has weakened, and following consecutive comeback losses, the bullpen is also under pressure. In the game against Kiwoom on the 27th, closer Jung Hae-young suffered a blown save, and in the game against Hanwha on the 28th, the setup men Jeon Sang-hyun and Kwak Do-gyu were shaky.
However, manager Lee Beom-ho did not lose faith in his pitchers. He stated, "I thought the condition of the bullpen pitchers has been very good since the exhibition games. Given their speed, it doesn't seem to be a matter of condition or anything like that. It's a mental aspect, but I believe it will gradually improve," adding, "There are good times and not-so-good times during a season. We can't get too shaken by the current difficulties. There are still 138 games left, and even if they're not doing well now, those players will be able to contribute. We'll stabilize the psychological aspects and proceed step by step."
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