"We played three fewer games than Samsung; let's just win three more" → Shocking three-game losing streak for KIA, KT's No. 1 plan falters

*This content was translated by AI.

"Because we played three fewer games."

When asked about the race for first place against Samsung Lions, this was the response from Lee Kang-cheol (60), manager of KT Wiz. At Suwon KT Wiz Park, where a game against Hanwha Eagles took place on the 3rd, Manager Lee told reporters, "We need to maintain this lead until our final regular-season showdown with Samsung," while adding, "If we are in first place by then, Samsung will feel the pressure."

As of the previous day (the 2nd), KT was in second place with a record of 68 wins, 3 draws, and 43 losses in 114 games, trailing Samsung (70 wins, 3 draws, 44 losses in 117 games) by half a game. However, since there were three more games remaining for KT than for Samsung, it meant they had opportunities to accumulate wins and could still aim for a comeback victory.

On this day, after defeating Hanwha, KT reclaimed first place, moving ahead of Samsung, which lost to Lotte Giants, by 0.5 games. After the game, KT's Ahn Hyun-min (23), who gave an interview as the standout player, stated, "The coaches told us that since we played three fewer games than Samsung, we just need to win three more," and added, "So I am also playing with the mindset of winning three more games."

However, KT's so-called "No. 1 plan" began to falter immediately the next day. In a three-game road series against Kia Tigers at Gwangju Kia Champions Field over the past weekend, they suffered an unexpected sweep. The result was particularly shocking given that KT had held a 6-3 advantage over KIA this season.

On the first day of the series (the 4th), KT took a two-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning but lost 3-4 in extra innings on a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the tenth. On the 5th, they led 3-1 through the top of the fifth inning but surrendered three runs in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the bottom of the eighth, losing 3-6. On the 6th, although they narrowed the gap to 3-5 in the top of the eighth, they allowed three additional runs in the bottom of the eighth and lost 3-8. This performance did not reflect their status as the league's top team in comeback wins (35 victories).

Instead of achieving the goal of "just winning three more," they ended up adding three losses. As a result, KT dropped to second place, trailing Samsung by 1.5 games.

While KT has somewhat lost its opportunity to lead the race for first place, the outcome remains unpredictable. Ultimately, the team that will go directly to the Korean Series will be decided in the four remaining head-to-head matchups between the two teams.

When the remaining schedule was initially announced, KT and Samsung were set to play one game in Daegu on September 9, followed by their final regular-season matchup in Suwon on October 7. However, due to rainouts that prevented games from being held in Daegu on August 28 and 30, those matchups were rescheduled for later, meaning the two teams will now play two additional games (in Daegu) after October 8.

If no further rain cancellations occur, it is highly likely that the two teams will face each other consecutively in their final three regular-season games. In head-to-head records this season, Samsung leads with a 9-3 advantage.

Currently, Samsung has a record of 72 wins, 3 draws, and 46 losses, while KT stands at 69 wins, 3 draws, and 46 losses — exactly three games fewer in both wins and games played. If KT achieves its goal by winning all three remaining games that Samsung has already played, the two teams would finish with identical winning percentages, making a tiebreaker game for first place possible. The venue would be Daegu, Samsung's home stadium, where they have already secured overall season superiority.

The only time in KBO League history that a tiebreaker game for first place occurred also featured these two teams as protagonists. In 2021, Samsung and KT finished with identical records of 76 wins, 9 draws, and 59 losses, leading to a decisive matchup in Daegu to determine the regular-season first-place team. After a starting pitcher duel between Cuevas (KT) and Won Tae-in (Samsung), KT won 1-0 and advanced directly to the Korean Series. Samsung, relegated to the playoffs, lost to Doosan Bears, while KT defeated Doosan four games without a loss in the Korean Series to claim their first championship since establishment.

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*This content was translated by AI.