From "Neighborhood Baseball" to "All Cards on the Table": Im Chang-yong Criticizes KIA Again... Predicts Samsung Will Clinch Korean Series Berth with 3 Wins and 1 Loss

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"All their cards are on the table."

Having predicted an upset by the KIA Tigers based on the overwhelming momentum they displayed in the Junior Playoffs, he has now reversed his stance, stating that the Samsung Lions will ultimately advance to the Korean Series. He once again expressed disappointment with KIA's management during the Playoffs.

KIA suffered a 4-6 comeback loss to Samsung in Game 3 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Playoffs (best-of-five series) held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 29th.

After winning the first game, KIA fell into a two-game losing streak, putting them in danger of elimination. In Game 4, both teams will field James Neal (KIA) and Chris Fiddick (Samsung), who started Game 1. With both sides forced to take risks, attention is focused on whether the series could end in Game 4.

Although they dominated the first game, KIA's starting pitchers have failed to complete five innings in three consecutive games, increasing the burden on their bullpen.

Im Chang-yong has been particularly harsh in his criticism of KIA's bullpen management. Im previously criticized KIA for deploying Lee Yi-ri in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on first base while trailing 1-4 in Game 2. Lee, who secured a victory in Game 1 with a perfect pitching performance, struggled with control in Game 2, issuing three consecutive walks or hit-by-pitches, allowing a bases-loaded walk for an earned run before being removed from the game.

At the time, Im Chang-yong said, "I don't understand why they used Lee Yi-ri in that situation," adding, "Lee Yi-ri seems to lack the ability to pitch consecutive games, and his pitching balance is completely different when there are runners on base versus when there are none."

He continued, "Can you use Lee Yi-ri in a tense situation next time?" and criticized, "You need to clearly hold winning cards and losing cards. This isn't neighborhood baseball; it's the same thing. It makes no sense to use him in both losing and winning games."

The same applied on this day. After starting pitcher Shiraoka Keisho left a disappointing mark with 4⅓ innings pitched, 4 hits allowed (2 home runs), 1 walk or hit-by-pitch, 4 strikeouts, and 4 runs allowed, KIA activated their bullpen from the first out of the fifth inning. They held on for 4⅔ innings using eight relief pitchers but ultimately lost after giving up two painful runs in the seventh inning.

In a Game 3 review video uploaded to his YouTube channel "Changyong Invincible - Im Chang-yong," Im Chang-yong cited KIA's loss as being due to "Shiraoka managed to keep things going for a while, but Ryu Ji-hyuk's home run turned the tide." He added, "They could have shifted the momentum with Na Sung-bum's home run, but it didn't last long. It was painful that they gave up the atmosphere afterward."

Im Chang-yong stated, "My thinking has changed now. I think Samsung will finish with 3 wins and 1 loss," adding, "KIA has shown everything they have to show today. They've revealed all their cards. There isn't a single reliable middle reliever, and Jeon Sang-hyun pitched well but threw 1⅔ innings, so if he comes out tomorrow, it will be consecutive pitching. A formula also emerged that Kim Do-young can't score if there are no runners ahead of him. It seems Samsung has gained momentum."

He continued, "KIA will find it hard to win unless they score in bulk. If Samsung just holds on and blocks them until the fifth and sixth innings, they should win easily," expressing regret by saying, "(KIA) will come out with that same pattern again. Isn't it obvious? They used nine pitchers. It means there are no reliable pitchers."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original