In brief
In Daegu, Kia Tigers’ manager Lee Bum‑ho chose the identical lineups for both Game 4 and Game 5 in the KBO postseason series against the Samsung Lions. The decision places the team’s leading power hitters higher in the order while confronting the new automated ball‑strike system. With the series tied, this opener could determine the Korean Series berth.
For the first time in a KBO postseason series, Kia Tigers manager Lee Bum‑ho left the batting order unchanged for Game 5 in Seoul’s rival’s home park, hoping the power hitters will precede the top of the lineup and capitalise on the automated ball‑strike system.
The series tied 2‑2 in the best‑of‑five decider is happening Saturday night at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, and the winner will play the KT Wiz in Suwon next Tuesday in the Korean Series.
Lee’s adjustment puts Kim Do‑yeong—who has already hit 45 regular‑season home runs and four in the postseason—second in line, Harold Castro third, and Na Sung‑bum clean‑up. The order produced 10 hits when the Tigers won 4‑2 over the Lions two nights earlier.
Tigers Seek Strike Power with Lineup Recurrence
Lee Bum‑ho told reporters before the game that the change would give the Tigers a “better chance to win” and that the “top of the lineup needs to be more productive.”
Lee said, “We won Game 4 with this lineup and we just don’t have guys that are swinging the bat well who can hit in front of Do‑yeong. This is not that big of a ballpark and we wanted to have our home‑run threats hitting higher up in the lineup. I felt it would give us the best chance to win.”
The Tigers’ power hitters have been a mixed bag in the series: Kim has seven hits but only one RBI—the solo home run that gave the opening game. Castro and Na have both been bruised hitters, and the team’s three biggest smashers are key to finding balance.
Lee explained that the new automated ball‑strike computer system has made pitching trickier. “With the automated system, balls in the high‑zone are called strikes, so we have to look for mistakes toward the middle of the zone,” the manager said. He added that the Tigers are ready to exploit any mis‑calls.
While the Tigers shocked the league by sweeping the LG Twins at the start of the postseason, this series has shown how high the pressure is for the team. They had won the opening game of the Lions series but lost the next two before clawing back a win on Sunday.
The Tigers are “gassed” after months of relentless playoff play, Lee said. “They have been playing high‑stress baseball since early October as we tried to grab the third seed and earn a bye,” he remarked, indicating the team will need a sharp performance this season’s finale.
With the series at a pivotal 2‑2 mark, both teams will look to the third seed’s eight‑post‑season games to win the Korean Series. The Tigers’ decided lineup, dynamic power hitters, and the automated strike‑calling system will all play a part in the battle that will decide South Korea’s 2026 champion.
