Was it that KIA fought well, or is Samsung really this strong... In the end, they shattered all predictions and are on the verge of winning their first championship in 12 years. Who will win the battle of strength between 'Won Tae-in vs Daniel'? [KS5]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The Samsung Lions are just one win away from winning the Korea Series (best-of-seven) for the first time since 2014, a span of 12 years. Samsung will deploy all its strength again to secure the championship at home. They will place 'domestic ace' Won Tae-in on the pitcher's mound. In response, KT Wiz will launch a counterattack led by Daniel Davis, the winning pitcher of Game 1 of the Korea Series.

Samsung and KT will play Game 5 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korea Series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park at 2:00 p.m. on the 8th.

Samsung's momentum is formidable. In the previous Game 1, Samsung trailed 0-8 but scored seven runs to ultimately lose by a single run, 7-8. However, it appears that even when losing, such fierce comebacks have continued to influence the subsequent series. After winning Game 2 in a hard-fought battle extending into the 12th inning, Samsung secured consecutive victories in Games 3 and 4.

The strength of KIA, which fought evenly with Samsung in the playoffs, is being re-evaluated once again. KIA fell to Samsung in the playoffs after a grueling series that went to Game 5, losing 2-3. Following the series defeat, Manager Lee Beom-ho of KIA mentioned aiming for the 'top three' next season and has already begun preparations for the 2027 season.

On the other hand, KT, which secured first place in the regular season with stable pitching and batting power, is struggling to focus its strength. Although predictions favored KT winning this postseason, the actual situation has unfolded in complete contrast.

Samsung now aims to secure the championship by leading with Won Tae-in as the starter. Won Tae-in served as a starting pitcher during the regular season. However, ahead of this fall baseball, he moved to the bullpen due to team circumstances and has been pitching there. When closer Kim Jae-yoon, who won the saves title this year, was sidelined due to injury, Manager Park Jin-man of Samsung decisively pulled out the card of utilizing Won Tae-in in the bullpen.

This proved successful. Won Tae-in made relief appearances in three games against KIA in the playoffs, allowing one run over 3⅔ innings. In particular, he secured a save in Game 3 of the playoffs, allowing one run over 1⅔ innings. He also made a relief appearance as the third pitcher in Game 2 of this Korea Series, which went to the 12th inning, shutting down KT with one unearned run over 1⅔ innings, laying the foundation for the team's 3-2 victory.

So why is Won Tae-in pitching as a starter? It is due to the poor performance of Choi Won-tae, who was originally in the starting rotation. Manager Park Jin-man made the decision to reassign Won Tae-in as a starting pitcher after Choi Won-tae struggled in Game 1. Although he was initially considered for a start in Game 4, he was ultimately selected to start Game 5 after comprehensively considering rest days and condition.

Won Tae-in started five games against KT during this season's regular season, recording a 1-3 record. His ERA of 3.25 was not bad. However, the fact that he will take the mound just three days after throwing 32 pitches in Game 2 on the 4th is a variable. In particular, how well he can shut down KT's central hitter Sam Hilliard (5 hits in 13 at-bats against Won Tae-in) appears to be the key.

In response, KT will launch a counterattack by placing foreign ace Daniel as the starter.

Daniel, who joined KT as a replacement foreign player in August last month, appeared in 10 games in the second half of the season, posting an impressive record of 5 wins, 2 losses, and a 2.13 ERA. He is one of the key figures who led KT to first place in the regular season. Daniel started Game 1 of the Korea Series held on the 3rd, pitching well for six innings by striking out seven batters while allowing five hits (one home run) and three runs (no walks), earning the win.

It is not that KT has no other reliable pitchers. First, Daniel must display the dominant pitching he showed in Game 1 even at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, which is called a 'hitter-friendly stadium.' Additionally, since KT will be eliminated with just one more loss, if Daniel wavers, they are expected to deploy available pitchers such as Go Young-pyo and So Hyoung-jun early on to fight with all their might.

Will Samsung end the series easily like this? Or will KT succeed in a counterattack led by its foreign ace? The eyes of baseball fans are focused on Daegu.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original