As the 2024 KBO season progresses, here is a look at the top news and notes from the past day in Korea’s highest level of professional baseball.
Postseason Race Heating Up
Though the Kia Tigers have locked down the top seed, there is still much to be decided with the KBO postseason picture. The SSG Landers have caught fire by going 7-2-1 in their last ten games, closing the gap between them and the fifth-place KT Wiz.
The Landers, Wiz, and Doosan Bears are now separated by just 2.5 games for the final two playoff spots.
Diaz Comes Through in the Clutch
On Wednesday, Lewin Diaz blasted a three-run, ninth-inning home run to lead the Samsung Lions past the KT Twins. The win helped the Lions expand their lead over the Twins as they look to lock down the number two seed in the upcoming KBO playoffs.
Samsung's Lewin Diaz with the 9th inning go-ahead 3-run home run as the Lions beat KT 8-6 https://t.co/uZjS6PneIR
— Dan Kurtz (@MyKBO) September 18, 2024
The 27-year-old Diaz has hit a solid .289 with seven home runs in his first KBO 23 games after spending the first part of the year in the Mexican League. Diaz previously played three seasons with the Miami Marlins from 2020-2022.
Ki Delivers Game-Winning Hit
LG Twins outfielder Hong Chang-Ki pulled back a bunt and smacked what turned out to be a game-winning single in the Twins 5-3 win over the Giants.
강공전환????????????????????
1루 쪽 !!!! 빠져나갑니다!!!!!!누가 홍창기 번트시키냐 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ!!!!창기야???????? pic.twitter.com/1rcI7ltcQv
— 로버???? (@t_WIN_s31) September 18, 2024
In his eighth season with the team, Hong has once again been a spark plug for the lineup, batting .323 with a .437 on-base percentage. The defending champion Twins are closing in on a return to the postseason with a 71-64-2 record that currently has them as the third seed.
KBO Standings as of Friday, September 20
- KIA Tigers (83-53-2)
- Samsung Lions (76-61-2)
- LG Twins (71-64-2)
- Doosan Bears (69-66-2)
- KT Wiz (69-68-2)
- SSG Landers(66-68-2)
- Lotte Giants (62-70-4)
- Hanwha Eagles(63-72-2)
- NC Dinos (60-74-2)
- Kiwoom Heroes (57-80-0)
Watch KBO games using the global streaming platform SOOP.
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