The Lotte Giants, who have risen to second place alone, are looking to continue their momentum against the Hanwha Eagles, whose pace has somewhat declined.
On the 23rd, Lotte faced right-handed starter Ryan Weiss in Daejeon and lined up Jang Du-seong (center fielder), Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder), Víctor Reyes (left fielder), Jeon Jun-woo (designated hitter), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), Son Ho-young (third baseman), Yoo Kang-nam (catcher), and Lee Ho-jun (second baseman). The starting pitcher is right-handed Park Se-woong.
It is noticeable that starting second baseman Go Seung-min is absent from the lineup. Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyoung noted in a pre-game interview about Go Seung-min, "His knee isn't good, so he is out. He might be available as a pinch hitter," adding, "His condition has been poor, and the training staff suggested that he shouldn't push it today. We will have to see his condition tomorrow (24th)."
Go Seung-min has recorded a batting average of .360 in 41 games this season (160 at-bats, 49 hits), with 2 home runs and 17 runs batted in (RBIs), and an OPS of .770. In May, he has been performing well with a batting average of .342 in 19 games (76 at-bats, 26 hits), 2 home runs, and 10 RBIs, leading Lotte's rise.
In the second batting order, Yoon Dong-hee has moved up as Go Seung-min is absent, while Lee Ho-jun, primarily a shortstop, has made his first start at second base this season. Lee Ho-jun has participated in 15 games at second base, coming in as a substitute, and has played 27 innings.
There are also changes to the first-team roster. Infielder Han Tae-yang has been dropped, and outfielder Jo Se-jin has been registered. This is Jo Se-jin's third registration to the roster this season. He has recorded 0 hits in 3 at-bats with 3 strikeouts in 5 games at the first team, but has performed decently in the Futures League with a batting average of .292 in 26 games (96 at-bats, 28 hits), 3 home runs, and 14 RBIs with an OPS of .820.
Regarding Jo Se-jin, manager Kim Tae-hyoung said, "We brought him up because we are short in the outfield. If Jeon Jun-woo plays designated hitter, there will be 4 outfielders, and with Kim Dong-hyeok as a pinch runner, we would be lacking in the outfield. We may need to make substitutions (in the second half) when the game is decided, but since the outfield is very tight, we added one more player," adding, "Jo Se-jin has done well in the second team. I haven't had the opportunity to give him a chance in the first team, but if the situation arises, I plan to give him a starting opportunity."
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