KIA Tigers star Kim Do-young enters the 2026 KBO League postseason with 45 home runs and a 1.060 OPS in 135 regular-season games, though his momentum faces a brief pause after rain washed out the opening game of the playoff series against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.
Rain Delays the Opening Pitch in Daegu
Heavy rain forced the cancellation of the opening game of the 2026 Korea Baseball Organization postseason series between the KIA Tigers and the Samsung Lions, originally scheduled for 25 October at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. League officials rescheduled the matchup for 26 October at 6:30 PM local time. Kim Do-young addressed reporters at the ballpark following the postponement, noting that while the team was eager to start, weather is beyond player control. He pointed out that the four-day layoff following the club’s sweep in the wild-card round leaves him fully conditioned, explaining that his preparation mirrors the rigorous routine he maintained ahead of the previous series.
Postseason Surge Following a Historic Regular Season
Kim established himself as a dominant offensive force during the 493-game span of his career, accumulating a .310 batting average with 532 hits, 100 home runs, and 320 RBIs alongside a .958 OPS. In 2026 campaigns, his production climbed further; he captured the league home run crown by hitting 45 homers and driving in 118 runs across 135 games while posting a .308 batting average and a 1.060 OPS. That power carried directly into the postseason during the wild-card series against the LG Twins, where he hit three home runs and drove in eight runs to sweep three consecutive games and secure series Most Valuable Player honors.
Maintaining Focus Against Familiar Opponents
Facing the Samsung Lions brings a fresh challenge after Kim batted .306 with nine home runs and 20 RBIs across 16 games against them during the regular season. Despite the hitter-friendly dimensions of Daegu Samsung Lions Park, Kim stated that he does not actively hunt for home runs when stepping into the batter’s box. He emphasized that maintaining concentration on each individual pitch naturally produces power results rather than forced swings. The infielder also noted that pre-series scouting reports on Samsung’s pitching staff remain consistent with regular-season evaluations, prioritizing his own timing and mechanics over any new tactical adjustments.
Physical Readiness and the Challenge of Rest
Unplanned rest days can occasionally disrupt a batter’s rhythm, but Kim dismissed concerns about rust following the rainout. Having already observed a four-day break between rounds, he remarked that adding a single day changes little because an extended layoff effectively resets a player’s physical feel anyway. To combat this, he maintained his routine by taking an optional day of individual training to preserve his timing at the plate. While acknowledging that teams advancing from lower playoff rounds often face physical fatigue, Kim maintained that the KIA Tigers roster remains healthy and the team clubhouse atmosphere is exceptionally positive.
Related reading
