Lim Ji-yeol will bat fourth for the first time since his debut.
The Kiwoom Heroes, coached by 토토사이트 Hong Won-ki, will host the KT Wiz of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League on April 24 at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, South Korea, for their fifth game of the season. With a 4-0 record against KT this season, Kiwoom will look to complete a sweep of the series and win their third straight league game.
Kiwoom’s starting lineup was Lee Jung-hoo (center field), Lee Won-seok (designated hitter), Kim Hye-sung (second base), Lim Ji-yeol (right field), Kim Tae-jin (third base), Lee Ji-young (catcher), Lim Byung-wook (left field), Kim Hui-jip (shortstop), and Song Sung-moon (first base). The starting pitcher was Ahn Woo-jin.
Lim Ji-yeol will bat fourth for the first time since his debut. Photo by Kim Young-gu
Lim Ji-yeol’s placement in the fourth spot in the batting order stands out. Im Ji-yeol, who joined the Heroes with the 22nd pick of the 2014 second round, will be batting fourth for the first time since his debut. This season, he has primarily batted second, sixth, and seventh.
Lim struggled at the start of April with a .077 batting average. However, after a trip to the second team, he rebounded. In May, he is batting .314 with 11 hits, two home runs, nine RBIs, and six runs scored. Even if you narrow it down to the last 10 games, he’s batting .333.
“As I always say, we don’t have a No. 4 hitter, we have a fourth hitter,” said manager Hong Won-ki before the game, “but Lim Ji-yeol is a player who can hit decisive home runs whenever it matters. He’s a guy who can hit long balls in the middle of the order, and he’s a guy who has a good chance of getting on base.”
Edison Russell returned to the field after missing the previous day due to a family health issue. However, due to fatigue, he will not start the game but will be a pinch hitter.
“I thought he still had some fatigue,” Hong said. The family said there was no problem. If there are important chances, he will come on as a substitute. I was with my family the day before, so I think I’ve calmed down.”
KT, which is looking for its first win of the season against Kiwoom, will line up in the following order: Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Kim Sang-soo (shortstop), Anthony Alford (left fielder), Park Byung-ho (first baseman), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Kim Min-hyuk (center fielder), Lee Ho-yeon (second baseman), Jang Jun-won (third baseman), and Hong Hyun-bin (right fielder). The starting pitcher is Ko Young-pyo.