“Unbelievable” — Won Tae-in was truly the bullpen’s secret weapon! Samsung’s bold gamble: Will it continue in Game 2 of the Playoffs?

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The Samsung Lions’ “Ace of Blue Blood,” Won Tae-in (26), made a surprise appearance from the bullpen. It was not merely a smokescreen. Under the blueprint of Samsung Manager Park Jin-man (50), Won Tae-in was the true “secret card” tasked with taking charge in the late innings. Although they lost Game 1 of the Playoffs, Samsung’s strategic gamble now shifts toward Game 2.

On the 26th, at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, the Samsung Lions fell to the KIA Tigers 1-5 in Game 1 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Playoffs. However, a fierce battle of wits unfolded between the two teams before the game even began.

The trigger was the list of non-participating players released by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) prior to the match. The visiting KIA Tigers excluded Yang Hyeon-jong and Oller, while the home Samsung Lions designated Hurado and Choi Won-tae as non-participants.

All eyes turned to the Samsung list. This was because the name of their domestic ace, Won Tae-in, who was widely expected to be included on the non-participant list for Game 1 given his high likelihood of starting Game 3 based on the rotation, was omitted and instead placed on the active roster.

This unconventional decision is interpreted as stemming from Samsung’s weakened bullpen situation. The team suffered a major setback when Kim Jae-yoon, their closer who had reliably guarded the late innings during the regular season, was sidelined with an injury. Without a definitive closer capable of shutting down the ninth inning perfectly, it would be difficult to endure the razor-thin margins of postseason baseball using standard regular-season bullpen management. Consequently, a total-effort strategy became unavoidable, one that breaks down positional boundaries and deploys the strongest cards at the most opportune moments.

Manager Park Jin-man, who appeared at the official press conference after the game, also spoke candidly about Won Tae-in’s exclusion from the non-participant list. “If the situation had called for it today, he could have gone out. He was a secret card we could use in the second half,” Park said, not hiding the calculated move aimed at neutralizing key moments in this short series.

Opposing manager Lee Beom-ho of the KIA Tigers kept a close watch on Samsung’s unusual roster composition. Before the game, Manager Lee told reporters, “I assumed Won Tae-in would be the starting pitcher for Game 3, so I didn’t think he would pitch today. Naturally, you wouldn’t list your Game 3 starter as a non-participant, right?” He then added with a joke, “Surely you’re not planning to use Won Tae-in as your closer today, are you?” which drew laughter from the scene.

Nevertheless, Manager Lee shared his own calculations. “If they have Won Tae-in pitch Game 1 and then bring him back for Game 4, I don’t think that would be a bad thing for us either,” he said. He maintained his vigilance by adding, “In the unlikely event he does come out (in Game 1), we will think of another strategy as the game progresses.”

With the game ending in a 1-5 defeat, Won Tae-in’s appearance in Game 1 did not materialize. However, having preserved his strength by not pitching, Manager Park’s mound equation continues into Game 2 on the 27th. “Since he didn’t pitch in Game 1, we might make changes if a situation arises where he needs to go out in Game 2,” Park explained. He added, “If (Won) Tae-in doesn’t pitch tomorrow, he will start Game 3.”

The starting pitcher for Samsung’s Game 2, as they look to mount a counterattack, is Ariel Hurrado (30), an “inning eater” capable of covering long stretches. During this season’s regular campaign, Hurado appeared in 24 games, recording a 9-3 record with a 3.54 ERA, serving as a pillar of the starting rotation. Against KIA this season, he faced them once, pitching seven innings while allowing 10 hits and three runs. That game was played at home in Daegu rather than Gwangju, and he did not secure a win or loss decision.

With Hurado expected to start and pitch deep into the game in Game 2, attention turns to the bullpen cards that will back him up and the management of the late innings if Samsung gains the upper hand. Amid the absence of closer Kim Jae-yoon due to injury, focus is on whether the “secret card” Won Tae-in, who saved his energy by not pitching in Game 1, will be deployed suddenly at a critical moment in Game 2 to secure a definitive victory, or whether he will take the mound as planned for the Game 3 start.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original