"Will Samsung really win it all?" A situation emerges that defies predictions... Will their bold strategy pay off in the final game in Daegu? Starting pitcher matchup also revealed [KS3]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Ahead of this Korea Series (best-of-seven), or rather the entire postseason, predictions overwhelmingly favored a KT Wiz championship. This was because, under the command of "Master" Manager Lee Kang-cheol, they had built a solid roster in both pitching and batting.

However, once the lid was lifted, a situation emerged that defied such predictions. In Game 1, while KT did win, they allowed a comeback from an 8-0 lead to within one run at 8-7.

In the subsequent Game 2, had KT won, the series could have ended quickly and easily. However, Samsung emerged victorious after a fierce battle in the 12th inning, resetting the series to one win and one loss. This demonstrated that even if KT's strength is solid, Samsung's power is no less formidable.

Now comes the fateful Game 3. KT and Samsung will play Game 3 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korea Series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 6th at 6:30 p.m.

This will be the final games held in Daegu this year. Games 3, 4, and 5 will be played consecutively without rest days at Samsung Lions Park.

It can be said that the team winning Game 3 has a very high probability of winning this Korea Series. In the history of 42 Korea Series, there have been 21 instances where Game 3 was played with the series tied at one win and one loss. Among these, the team that won Game 3 ultimately claimed the championship in as many as 18 cases. This equates to a winning probability of a whopping 85.7%.

The shoulders of both teams' starting pitchers are heavy. KT has deployed "Autumn Man" So Hyoung-jun as their starter. In response, Samsung will take the mound with Ariel Hurraco, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Playoffs.

So Hyoung-jun has been very strong in autumn baseball throughout his career. Since entering the professional league in 2020, So Hyoung-jun has played on every autumn baseball stage, from the Wild Card Round to the Junior Playoffs, Playoffs, and Korea Series. He has appeared in eight postseason games, pitching 30⅓ innings, recording a record of three wins, no losses, one hold, and an ERA of 1.48.

In particular, he started Game 2 of the 2021 Korea Series against the Doosan Bears, delivering a perfect scoreless performance over six innings with three hits allowed, five walks, and four strikeouts, leading his team to their first-ever combined championship in franchise history.

He also posted good results in this year's regular season. So Hyoung-jun suffered an injury setback that kept him out of the lineup for over a month due to shoulder pain in early May. Nevertheless, he consistently maintained the starting rotation this season. In 23 appearances, he pitched 131⅓ innings, recording 10 wins, three losses, and an ERA of 3.15. Having won 10 games last season, he has now reached double-digit wins for the second consecutive year. Additionally, he was selected for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games national team and contributed to winning a gold medal. He also claimed the title of regular season winning percentage leader.

In particular, he has been strong against Samsung this year. So Hyoung-jun appeared in three games against Samsung this season, recording an impressive record of two wins, no losses, and an ERA of 3.71. While he struggled with six runs allowed over six innings in his first appearance in April, he delivered a scoreless performance over five innings on the 7th of last month. Following that, in the away matchup in Daegu on the 12th, he pitched a resilient game of six innings with two hits allowed, eight strikeouts, and one run allowed, securing his 10th win.

In response, Samsung is fielding their foreign ace Hurraco. Hurraco started two of the five games in the Playoffs against the KIA Tigers, delivering tight pitching over 13⅔ innings with a record of two wins, no losses, and an ERA of 1.32. He was responsible for two of Samsung's three wins, ultimately being crowned the Playoff MVP.

In fact, Hurraco had been evaluated as weak in big games. Last year, he appeared in four postseason games, struggling with a record of no wins, three losses, and an ERA of 4.29. However, this year is different. In Game 2 of the Playoffs against KIA on the 27th of last month, he became the winning pitcher after pitching 6⅔ innings with five hits allowed and two runs allowed. In the fateful final Game 5, played after a four-day rest on the 1st, he delivered a resilient performance of seven innings with five hits allowed, two walks, three strikeouts, and one unearned run.

This season, Hurraco was also sidelined for about two months due to the aftermath of a right shoulder injury. Ultimately, in the 2026 season, he appeared in 24 games, recording nine wins, three losses, and an ERA of 3.56. Although his goal of reaching 10 wins for the fourth consecutive season was not met, he quietly held down the pitcher's mound.

However, there is a variable: he has been weak against KT this season. In three matchups against KT this year, Hurraco pitched 15⅔ innings, recording one win, one loss, and an ERA of 5.17. In particular, in his most recent appearance on the 11th of last month, he collapsed with four innings, six hits allowed, four walks, and six runs allowed after giving up two home runs. Hurraco must make this Game 3 a stage for revenge.

The change of venue from Suwon KT Wiz Park to Lions Park is also a variable. Lions Park is a hitter-friendly stadium where many home runs are hit. Due to its octagonal structure, the distance to the left-center and right-center fences is only 107 meters.

In Game 1, KT's Ahn Hyun-min, Kim Hyun-soo, and Han Seung-taek hit home runs. Samsung also showcased their power with Koo Ja-wook firing off a cannon. In Game 2 as well, Samsung's Diaz produced two extra-base hits. KT also saw Choi Won-jun, Hillyard, Kim Hyun-soo, and Heo Kyung-min hit doubles. The game could be decided by one big hit at a crucial moment.

Additionally, Samsung plans to send Won Tae-in, who served as a reliever in this autumn baseball, into the starting rotation. This can be called a bold strategy. On the other hand, Choi Won-tae will move from the starting rotation to the bullpen. Which team will ultimately laugh last in Game 3?

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original