Tigers manager banking on top of lineup to do damage in KBO postseason game

GWANGJU, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- Kia Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho has expressed confidence in his team's top batters to make an impact during the KBO postseason opener against the LG Twins on Saturday. Park Jae-hyun, a breakout star with 19 homers and 21 steals, will lead off the batting order, followed by 2024 Korean Series MVP Kim Sun-bin, 2024 regular-season MVP Kim Do-yeong in the usual No. 3 spot, and relievers Harold Castro and Na Sung-bum.

Manager Lee emphasized that the performance of the first five batters will be crucial, stating, "I think the game will come down to how well our first five batters will perform." Although the bottom part of the lineup is essential, Lee believes that the Tigers' top hitters will set the tone for the series. The Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb had previously stated that containing Kim Do-yeong would be a significant challenge for his team, but Lee remains optimistic about his players' abilities, saying, "I am sure Do-yeong will do his thing, and Castro and Na Sung-bum will also contribute."