Gwangju: The top two teams from the regular season in South Korean baseball are set to face off in the championship series beginning Monday. The Kia Tigers aim to extend their flawless championship record, while the Samsung Lions seek their first title in a decade.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Kia Tigers, who secured the top seed with an 87-55-2 record, will host the Samsung Lions in Game 1 of the Korean Series at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field. The Tigers, benefiting from a bye to the Korean Series due to their top record, will have the home field advantage, hosting the first two games and potentially the final three if the series extends.
The Samsung Lions, who concluded the regular season nine games behind the Tigers with a 78-64-2 record, earned a bye to the second round of the playoffs. They advanced to the championship series by defeating the defending champions, the LG Twins, in a four-game series, clinching the final game with a tight 1-0 victory.
Historically, the Tigers have dominated the Ko
rean Series, having won 11 championships without a defeat. Their latest title came in 2017. Meanwhile, the Lions have claimed seven Korean Series titles, the last in 2014. The Lions also won the league title in 1985 but were awarded the championship directly due to the league’s format at that time.
The Tigers and Lions have a storied rivalry, with the Tigers defeating the Lions in the Korean Series in 1986, 1987, and 1993. This marks their first postseason encounter since 1993.
During the Korean Series media day in Gwangju, Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho expressed anticipation for the upcoming series, acknowledging the rivalry and the long gap since their last meeting. Lions manager Park Jin-man recognized the Tigers as favorites but emphasized the Lions’ determination to capitalize on any weaknesses.
Throughout the regular season, the Tigers had a significant edge over the Lions, winning 12 of their 16 encounters and outscoring them 107-79. While the Lions led the league in home runs with 185, the Tigers outpe
rformed them in their head-to-head matchups.
Both teams boast notable players. The Tigers’ Kim Do-yeong, a leading MVP candidate, impressed with 38 home runs and 40 steals. The team’s first-year pitcher, James Naile, will start Game 1 after recovering from a jaw injury. The Lions, however, face challenges with their captain Koo Ja-wook, who is currently unable to run at full speed due to a knee injury. Their ace, Won Tae-in, will face Naile in the series opener.