Samsung look to avenge late-season skid against KT in Korean Series

Samsung held the upper hand in the regular-season head-to-head record against KT, but the Wiz won all four of the final meetings between the two sides. Attention now turns to whether Samsung can reverse that late-season momentum when it matters most — in the Korean Series.

KT Wiz and Samsung Lions begin the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korean Series on Tuesday with Game 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Suwon KT Wiz Park, competing in a best-of-seven series for the championship.

KT, the regular-season pennant winner, is chasing its first integrated championship since 2021. Samsung is seeking to reclaim the Korean Series title for the first time since 2014. It is the first time the two clubs have met in the postseason.

Samsung finished the regular season with a 9-7 edge in head-to-head matchups. The Lions went 9-3 in the first 12 meetings, demonstrating clear dominance over KT. The tide turned late in the season, however. Samsung dropped four straight to KT — losing 0-2 in Daegu on Sept. 9, then 3-9 in Suwon on Oct. 7, and 3-12 and 2-4 in Daegu on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12, respectively — surrendering the final four games despite holding the overall series advantage.

KT's starting pitchers played a central role in flipping the script. In those final four matchups, KT deployed Ko Young-pyo and So Hyung-jun as starters twice each, winning all four games. Ko was particularly dominant, shutting out Samsung's lineup over seven innings in the Sept. 9 contest.

KT's power hitting also proved decisive. Foreign slugger Sam Hilliard hit a grand slam against Samsung on Oct. 7, then followed up on Oct. 11 with back-to-back home runs off Samsung starter Ariel Huraldo, driving in five runs.

For Samsung, the key tasks in the Korean Series are clear: manufacture runs against Ko and So while keeping KT's middle-of-the-order bats — led by Hilliard — from doing damage. Solving those problems is essential if the Lions are to avenge their four-game losing streak to close the regular season.

Rest could also prove a decisive factor. KT wrapped up its regular season on Oct. 12 and has had roughly three weeks to prepare for the Korean Series, giving the club ample time to set its rotation, shore up the bullpen and restore players' physical condition.

Samsung, by contrast, played through Game 5 of the playoff against KIA Tigers on Sunday and has just one day of rest before the Korean Series begins. Starter Huraldo turned in a strong outing in that clincher, allowing just one run over seven innings, with Won Tae-in called in to close out a 6-1 victory in the ninth.

Having taxed the pitching staff through the playoff series, Samsung faces real pressure managing the mound in the early stages of the Korean Series. How manager Park Jin-man deploys Won Tae-in — used as both a starter and a reliever — will be particularly closely watched.

A long rest does not automatically translate into an advantage, however. While KT enters well-rested, the club must guard against rustiness from the extended break. Samsung, despite the physical toll of a grueling playoff run, arrives with its competitive edge intact.

Both clubs will reveal their Game 1 starters at the Korean Series media day Monday at 2 p.m. at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Suwon. Which starter KT manager Lee Kang-chul and Samsung manager Park Jin-man choose to send to the mound will be one of the first points of intrigue in the series.