Crisis vs crisis.

Both LG Twins, who are charging at the beginning of the season as the 'absolute powerhouse,' and the defending champion KIA Tigers, who were evaluated as having the strongest roster but were held back by injuries, have found themselves in a crisis and will face each other.

LG and KIA will play a weekend three-game series big bang at KIA Champions Field in Gwangju on the 25th. The big match, which is attracting attention as the comeback game for MVP Kim Do-young, will pit them against each other in a crisis where neither can afford to back down.

LG lost to NC 1-3 at Jamsil Stadium on the 24th. They started their ace, Chirinos, who had a 4-0 record, but after throwing 5 innings (77 pitches), he complained of fatigue in his right forearm and requested to be replaced. LG was shut out by NC starter Riley for 6 innings and the lineup remained silent until the end, resulting in the loss. This marked their first losing record of the season (1 win and 2 losses).

KIA suffered two consecutive losses against Samsung in Daegu. The first game was canceled due to rain. In the game on the 23rd, Kim Do-hyun, who had a 1-point-something ERA, collapsed after allowing 6 runs in 5⅔ innings. The KIA lineup failed to attack their nemesis pitcher, Samsung's Choi Won-tae.

The game on the 24th was a shocking defeat of 5-17. Temporary starter Hwang Dong-ha could not last, giving up 4 runs in 3⅔ innings, and there were critical defensive errors in the outfield. The relief squad allowed a large number of runs, showcasing a dreadful performance.

With Kim Do-young's return, KIA will assemble a 'full strength' roster, needing to forget the shock of the heavy loss to Samsung and bounce back quickly. LG, who experienced their first losing record of the season, must at least break even in their road game this week.

This season, LG and KIA faced each other in 2 games at Jamsil from the 4th to the 6th. The game on the 5th was canceled due to rain. LG won both games, avenging the pain of being swept twice at home last year. However, at that time, KIA was a hospital ward lacking key players. The infield trio of Kim Do-young, Park Chan-ho, and Kim Sun-bin were all sidelined by injuries, with only Park Chan-ho returning on the 6th against LG after recovering from a knee injury.

On the 23rd, Kim Do-young played as a third baseman in a Futures League game against Samsung Lions, achieving 1 hit in 2 at-bats and batting a double. He only played 3 innings defensively. He is fully prepared to play in his comeback game against LG.

Ahead of the three-game series, KIA adjusted its starting rotation, aligning Yang Hyun-jong, Olle, and Neill as the top three starters. By sending temporary starter Hwang Dong-ha to the 24th game against Samsung, they provided an extra day of rest for the top three starters. They are going all out to catch the leading LG.

They are showcasing the league's top pitcher, Neill. Neill has recorded 2 wins and no losses with an ERA of 0.74 over 6 games. He is a nemesis pitcher against LG, boasting a record of 3 wins and no losses with an ERA of 2.43 over 5 games last year.

LG faced Yang Hyun-jong on the 4th and Olle on the 6th. Yang Hyun-jong became the losing pitcher after 5 innings, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and 1 walk. Olle recorded a quality start on the 6th, allowing 4 runs (3 earned runs) on 4 hits and 4 walks over 6 innings but also took the loss. Yang Hyun-jong has struggled this year, with no wins and 3 losses over 5 games and an ERA of 6.31, ranking lowest among the 31 pitchers who have qualified innings.

LG will send Son Joo-young, Lee Ji-kang, and Lim Chan-kyu as starters. Lee Ji-kang will take the place of foreign pitcher Hernandez, who is out due to a thigh muscle injury, as the temporary starter. They slightly fall behind KIA in the starting matchup. Lim Chan-kyu has performed poorly against KIA last year with 2 losses and an ERA of 5.25 over 3 games. Son Joo-young also had a disappointing record with 2 losses and an ERA of 6.41 over 4 games against KIA last year. Lee Ji-kang has an ERA of 14.54 over 7 games (4⅓ innings) pitched against KIA last year.

Also, starting shortstop Oh Ji-hwan has been unable to hit due to back pain, leading to his exclusion from the starting lineup for the last 3 games. He only played 1-2 innings defensively. Manager Yeom Kyung-yup noted regarding Oh Ji-hwan's participation in the game against KIA, "We need to monitor his physical condition. Even if he is able to hit, he will likely start as a pinch hitter at first."

If LG falters, it will give the second-place group hope for a chase. LG is currently 4.5 games ahead of second-place Hanwha. If KIA falters, they could remain in the lower tier for a while. KIA is currently tied for 7th place, 2 games behind 5th place KT, and only 0.5 games ahead of 9th place NC.

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