Atlanta:One South Korean player advanced while another was eliminated in the ongoing Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Atlanta Braves 4-1 at Truist Park, securing their place in the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers, two-time defending World Series champions, will next face the winner of the series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Diego Padres.
For the Dodgers, South Korean infielder Kim Hye-seong made his first postseason appearance of the year as a defensive replacement at second base in the ninth inning. Despite appearing in only 43 games during the regular season with a .259 average, one homer, 11 RBIs, and five steals, Kim was recalled from the minors on September 28 for the postseason roster. He aims to become the first South Korean player to win consecutive World Series titles.
Conversely, the Braves' elimination marked the end of the season for their South Korean shortstop Kim Ha-seong. After an injury-laden 2025, Kim signed a one-year contract with the Braves, hoping for a strong 2026. However, a serious finger injury in January and subsequent inflammation limited him to 51 games with a career-worst .116 batting average. Despite making the postseason roster, he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in the Wild Card Series and NLDS. Kim was benched for the deciding game against the Dodgers.