Seoul: Teams in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) will reach a crucial early-season point this week as they embark on a run of nine straight games.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this unprecedented schedule change comes as the May 5 Children's Day holiday, typically a significant event in the KBO season, falls on a Monday this year. As a result, teams will play their three-game midweek series from Monday to Wednesday, deviating from the usual Tuesday to Thursday schedule. This adjustment will lead to a challenging stretch of nine consecutive games from Tuesday to May 7, barring any weather disruptions.
The LG Twins, currently leading the league, are entering this demanding period after a challenging week, having lost consecutive series against the NC Dinos and the Kia Tigers. Despite these setbacks, the Twins maintain a record of 20 wins, 9 losses, and no ties. However, their lead over the second-place Samsung Lions, who stand at 17-12-0, has narrowed to just three games.
Meanwhile, the Hanwha Eagles are on the rise, trailing the Lions by only half a game with a record of 17-13-0. They are set to host the Twins for a three-game series in Daejeon. The two teams previously met from March 25 to 27, where the Twins swept the series, allowing only one run. The Eagles have since improved, boasting a team batting average of .263 in April, surpassing the Twins' .255. Notably, slugger Roh Si-hwan has hit six home runs in his last 10 games, while Estevan Florial has significantly improved his batting, now hitting .312 in April with a 13-game hit streak.
Elsewhere, the Lotte Giants, one of the few teams with a winning record at 16-13-1, will play against the last-place Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. The KT Wiz will visit the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, marking what would have been a homecoming for Wiz third baseman Heo Kyoung-min. Heo, an All-Star who played for the Bears from 2012 to 2024, signed with the Wiz last winter but is now sidelined due to a left hamstring injury. He is expected to be out for about two weeks.
Lastly, the Twins and Bears are set to face off in their annual Children's Day series. This event has seen interruptions in the past two years due to rain, but historically, the Bears hold a 15-11-0 record in May 5 matchups.