▲ Game 2 of the 2026 Korea Series between the Samsung Lions and KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park in Gyeonggi Province on the 4th.
KT Wiz, having lost the second game of the Korea Series (best-of-seven), has made major changes to its starting lineup.
KT set its starting batting order for the away Game 3 of the 2026 professional baseball Korea Series against the Samsung Lions, held today (the 6th) at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, with Kim Min-hyuk as the leadoff left fielder, Ahn Hyun-min as the second right fielder, Kim Hyun-soo as the third first baseman, Sam Hilliard as the fourth center fielder, Jang Sung-woo as the fifth designated hitter, Kim Sang-soo as the sixth second baseman, Ryu Hyun-in as the seventh third baseman, Cho Dae-hyun as the eighth catcher, and Jang Jun-won as the ninth shortstop.
KT manager Lee Kang-cheol said during the pre-game press conference, "Choi Won-jun (right fielder) collided with the fence while playing defense in Game 2 and has swelling in his hand, making it difficult for him to play defense today," adding, "We plan to use him as a pinch hitter in crucial situations."
He then explained, "Huh Kyung-min (third fielder) was left out due to a chest muscle spasm."
Regarding the decision to place Jang Sung-woo, who had previously been out of the starting lineup, as the fifth designated hitter, he explained, "By placing Kim Hyun-soo at the third spot, we needed a batter with extra-base power behind Hilliard," adding, "Given that Daegu Samsung Lions Park is a stadium where many home runs are hit, we judged that inserting Jang Sung-woo would be a better option."
Kim Sang-soo, who missed Game 2 of the Korea Series due to pain in the top of his foot, returned to the starting lineup.
Manager Lee Kang-cheol said, "I put him in because he said he was in a condition to play."
Cho Dae-hyun will start as catcher instead of Han Seung-taek, who played in Games 1 and 2.
Manager Lee Kang-cheol stated, "Starting pitcher So Hyeongjun has good chemistry with Cho Dae-hyun, which is why we chose him."
Compared to the starting lineup for Game 2 of the Korea Series, the only players maintaining the same defensive positions and batting orders are Hilliard at fourth and Jang Jun-won at ninth.
The players not scheduled to play are Game 2 starter Ko Young-pyo and Logan Allen, who will start Game 4.
KT won Game 1 of the Korea Series but lost Game 2 following an extra-inning battle, bringing their record to one win and one loss.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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