'The only team to come back from a 1-3 deficit is, of all teams, Samsung' — KT aims for the 5.3% miracle; Daniel: "We have nowhere to retreat to. We will pour out everything we have" [KS4 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Only once in 19 instances throughout history. It is that rare for a team trailing 1-3 in the Korea Series (KS) to mount a comeback victory. The KT Wiz are challenging that miracle. And standing at the forefront of their final counterattack is Davis Daniel (29), who joined mid-season and transformed into an ace.

On the 7th, at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, the KT lost 5-10 to the Samsung Lions in Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven format), falling behind in the series 1-3. If they lose just one more game, they will finish as runners-up. Conversely, they must win all of Games 5 through 7 to achieve their first unified championship in five years since 2021.

The odds are slim from the start. Among the 43rd Korea Series held from 1982 to 2025, there were a total of 19 instances where one team led 3-1 at the end of Game 4. In 18 of those cases, the team leading 3-1 won, while the team trailing 1-3 mounted a comeback victory only once. The rate of comeback victories is a mere 5.3%.

Coincidentally, that sole protagonist was Samsung. In 2013, Samsung trailed the Doosan Bears 1-3 but went on to win Game 5 7-5, Game 6 6-2, and Game 7 7-3 to claim the championship. Now, KT finds itself in a position where it must replicate Samsung's miracle from back then.

The hope lies with Daniel. Daniel is scheduled to take the mound as the starting pitcher for Game 5, which will be held at the same venue on the 8th. Daniel was KT's mid-season gamble this year. On July 30, KT signed Daniel for a total of $406,000 to replace their existing foreign pitcher Matt Sauer. The choice proved successful.

Daniel, who made his KBO League debut on August 13, recorded a 5-2 record with an ERA of 2.13 in 10 regular season games. He struck out 69 batters over 55 innings, leading KT's charge to the top of the regular season standings.

He also stood out during the Korea Series preparation process. On the 27th of last month, he started in a practice game against Sangmu, pitching five scoreless innings while striking out 10 batters and allowing only one hit. He threw just 62 pitches. KT Manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) had already designated Daniel as the starter for Game 1 of the Korea Series early on.

Indeed, in Game 1 on the 3rd, Daniel earned the win by pitching six innings, allowing five hits, no walks or hit batters, striking out seven, and giving up three runs. He held Samsung scoreless through the sixth inning, and KT built a lead of 8-0. Although he allowed a two-run home run to Koo Ja-wook in the seventh inning, and the bullpen that followed wobbled, resulting in a narrow 8-7 victory for KT, Daniel's strong pitching laid the foundation for their first win.

However, KT subsequently lost two consecutive games. They fell 2-3 in a close Game 2 that went to the 12th inning of extra time, and collapsed 1-5 in Game 3. With the loss in Game 4, they have nowhere left to retreat. Ahead of Game 4, Daniel met with the media and candidly shared the team's atmosphere following the defeat in Game 3.

"The players are all fine. If the series were tied 1-1, wouldn't one team inevitably go ahead 2-1? The team morale is still high. Everyone is trying to enjoy this moment," Daniel said, while adding, "Yesterday (the 6th), the players seemed a bit stiff. So I am trying to relax as much as possible and play freely. We are in a cornered situation. In such times, we must enjoy the game and play freely."

Daniel also analyzed the Samsung lineup he would face again and the characteristics of Daegu Samsung Lions Park. "Pitchers who induced many ground balls have achieved good results here. Huardo also utilized his sinker well to generate many ground balls," he noted. "Our starter So Hyoung-jun also induced many ground balls after finding stability. Ground balls are truly important in this stadium."

He continued, "I have also pitched in high-altitude places like Salt Lake City, USA. It is not unfamiliar to play in a small, hitter-friendly stadium," expressing confidence.

Reflecting on his Game 1 performance, he said, "We had a good game plan and executed it well. My fastball command was good, and my changeup was really effective early on. Although I gave up a home run, I had confidence, and my sweeper worked well against right-handed batters."

He has already made full preparations. Regardless of the outcome in Game 4, his mindset is to do his best. "My physical condition is really good right now. We have trained our whole lives for moments like this. Once I step onto the pitcher's mound, it does not matter what time of year it is," Daniel emphasized.

He then added, "No matter what happens today, there will be another opportunity tomorrow. The Korea Series is ultimately a long battle that ends only when one team reaches four wins." He resolved to fight until the end by coming out to the field tomorrow (the 8th) and pouring out everything they have.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original