Oller seeks redemption in Daegu as Furado chases first postseason win

KIA Tigers starter Adam Oller and Samsung Lions starter Ariel Furado will square off in Game 2 of the KBO playoff series Tuesday, each looking to shake off an unwanted record.

The two pitchers take the mound at 6:30 p.m. at Daegu Samsung Lions Park for Game 2 of the 2026 KBO postseason playoff, a best-of-five series. KIA, which won Game 1 by a score of 5-1, is looking to extend its winning streak, while Samsung is desperate for a comeback.

Oller went 2-1 against Samsung this season with an ERA of 5.79, but his numbers varied sharply depending on the venue. In two starts against Samsung in Gwangju, he allowed just one run over 13 innings to earn both wins. In a road start at Daegu on July 28, however, he was knocked around for eight runs on seven hits and three walks in a single inning. He now faces Samsung's lineup at that same ballpark again.

His recent postseason form has been encouraging. On Oct. 18, he pitched six innings and allowed two runs to earn the win in Game 2 of the wild-card round against the LG Twins.

Furado, Samsung's starter, will be chasing his first postseason victory. Through last season, he had gone 0-3 with a 4.29 ERA in four postseason appearances, despite pitching at least 6⅔ innings in each of his three starts without ever picking up a win.

In his one start against KIA this season, he went seven innings and gave up three runs on 10 hits, leaving with a no-decision. He surrendered plenty of hits but avoided walks and home runs to limit the damage.

Samsung will need more than a strong outing from Furado — its lineup must also bounce back. The Lions managed just two hits and one run in Game 1. Particularly crucial is the form of captain Koo Ja-wook, who won the batting title this season with a .371 average. Playing as the designated hitter batting third while nursing a hamstring injury, Koo went 0-for-4 in Game 1.

Koo went 3-for-7 (.429) with two RBIs against Oller this season. Lee Jae-hyeon also fared well against the right-hander, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.

Samsung Manager Park Jin-man signaled lineup changes after the Game 1 loss. "I'll think through a number of options," Park said. "I need to meet with the coaching staff. I'm looking to make changes to the player usage, the lineup and the batting order."

Also drawing attention is whether veteran Choi Hyung-woo, who was left out of the Game 1 starting lineup after Koo took the DH spot, will get a start in Game 2. Park indicated he was reviewing several options regarding Choi's possible inclusion.

If KIA wins Game 2 as well, the club will need just one more victory to reach the Korean Series. Samsung, meanwhile, must salvage a win at home to reset the series.