'Preview of Korean Series'…Can KT Defend First Place in the Lion's Den?

On the 29th, a 'preview of the Korean Series' matchup between first-place KT and second-place Samsung, separated by 0.5 games, will be held at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu.

KT maintains first place with 66 wins, 3 draws, and 42 losses, for a .611 winning percentage. Samsung trails closely with 67 wins, 3 draws, and 44 losses, for a .604 winning percentage. With the potential for the lead to change depending on today's result, the eyes of Suwon fans are turning to Daegu.

The matchup between the two teams was originally scheduled to begin on the 28th. However, the season's 12th game was canceled due to rain and field conditions in Daegu, pushing back the first-place competition by a day.

Rainout Cancellation Gives KT a Day—Blessing or Curse?

The rainout cancellation was initially welcome news for KT, which faced a power gap.

Samsung has been on a four-game winning streak while its batting lineup has been hot, scoring double digits against Kiwoom's pitching in back-to-back games. Meanwhile, KT lost key slugger Hilliard, who recorded 30 home runs and 99 RBIs, due to paternity leave. Starting catcher Jang Sung-woo also sidelined due to injury.

It is positive that relief pitchers and position players gained an extra day to recover. However, the extended away-game stay means the team must adjust its practice, meal, and sleep schedules. Whether the rest translates into physical recovery or results in a loss of game feel and intensity is the first key viewing point.

The rainout also shifted the weight of the starting matchup. The 28th was set to feature KT's Oh Won-seok against Samsung's Kim Baek-san, but on the 29th, both teams field Logan and Chris Perez respectively. The championship battle has been reframed as a head-to-head duel between foreign aces.

Logan Held Against Samsung Before—Can He Turn It Into a Win This Time?

KT starter Logan has appeared in 10 games this season with a 5-1 record and 2.91 ERA. He has anchored KT's starting rotation, accounting for 55⅔ innings.

Samsung is not an unfamiliar opponent for Logan. On June 27th in Daegu, he registered a quality start against Samsung's lineup with 6 innings, 5 hits, 3 walks, and 2 runs allowed. Though he put multiple runners on base, he avoided giving up a home run and escaped the jam.

At that time, KT descended from the mound with a 3-2 lead, but in the 8th inning, the bullpen allowed a reversal, losing 3-4. It was a frustrating game where Logan's strong performance could not be converted to a win.

Logan's mission this time is clear. In Daegu, where long balls fly easily, he must minimize the number of base runners and prevent Samsung's middle-order hitters from getting the decisive blow. If he performs as he did in the previous matchup—holding opponents to around 2 runs or fewer over 6+ innings—KT has a solid chance to compete. It is also important for the bullpen to protect the momentum created by the starter through the final inning.

3 Wins, 8 Losses Disadvantage…Recent Three-Game Series in Daegu: All Losses

KT trails Samsung 3-8 in head-to-head matchups this season. In their most recent three-game series in Daegu from June 26-28, they lost all three games with scores of 1-9, 3-4, and 4-7 respectively.

While they conceded in the first game, the remaining two games offered possibilities for comeback. In the second game, supported by Logan's strong pitching, they led late, and in the final game, they scored 4 runs and attacked Samsung's pitching. The head-to-head record shows a clear disadvantage, but not every game was one-sided.

There are good memories as well. In last August's three-game series against Samsung in Suwon, KT lost the first game 4-8 but then won back-to-back games 3-1 and 9-2, creating a winning series. This is experience in not being shaken by a single result and reversing the series momentum.

In this Daegu road series, rather than dwelling on past disadvantages, KT needs the power to change the atmosphere within the game. Even if they surrender the first run, they need the focus to prevent additional runs and immediately counter-attack.

Gap Left by Hilliard and Jang Sung-woo—'Tactical Baseball' Is Necessary

KT's greatest concern is the simultaneous loss of its core batting lineup and its primary catcher.

With Hilliard's absence, KT has lost the key slugger who could swing momentum with one home run. Jang Sung-woo's absence affects not only hitting but also the catcher's pitcher management and game strategy. How well the catcher wearing the mask as today's starter establishes stable communication with Logan is another key viewing point.

To fill the power gap, manager Lee Kang-chul's bench management and the players' tactical execution must be more refined than usual. Rather than direct home-run contests with Samsung, KT must create scoring opportunities through base hits, advancing runners, and aggressive base running.

The timing of pinch hitters and pinch runners, strategies like bunts and hit-and-runs, can also influence the outcome. However, strategy is not completed by bench orders alone. Hitters must send the ball in the necessary direction, and runners must make accurate judgments to advance an extra base. This is a game where organizational power, with all players fulfilling their roles, is needed over the impact of a single player's blow.

Kwon Dong-jin Strong Against Samsung—The Key to the Offense

Worth noting in KT's batting lineup is Kwon Dong-jin.

Kwon Dong-jin has a .272 season batting average but has been in good form with a .385 average over the last five games. Against Samsung, he has been particularly strong with 7 hits in 15 at-bats for a .467 average.

While not a home-run hitter, Kwon Dong-jin can maintain offensive momentum through accurate hitting and getting on base. With Hilliard out, he must take on a role beyond simply connecting hits—creating scoring opportunities and bringing runners home.

Samsung's Kim Sung-yoon, posting a .312 season average and a .556 average over the last five games, is the hitter KT's pitching must be wary of.

Opposing starter Chris Perez has pitched 38 innings over 6 games with a 3-2 record, 2.61 ERA, and 0.76 WHIP. He is a pitcher who allows few base runners. For KT hitters including Kwon Dong-jin, it is important to engage in persistent at-bats rather than hastily chasing long balls, building up the pitch count.

Must Win Before Kim Jae-yoon Takes the Mound

If the game becomes close, Samsung closer Kim Jae-yoon's presence becomes a burden for KT. Kim Jae-yoon leads the league with 28 saves. If Samsung is ahead entering the 9th, it will be difficult for KT to reverse the game.

For KT, the 6th through 8th innings—right after Perez leaves the mound—are crucial. They must actively use pinch hitters and runners to at least tie or take the lead. They must not repeat the scenario like Logan's previous Samsung outing where the starter descended with a lead only for the bullpen to allow a reversal.

Ultimately, KT's ability to hold first place depends on three things. They must turn the extra day gained from the rainout into recovery time, and Logan must again pitch 6+ innings against Samsung's lineup. The gap left by Hilliard and Jang Sung-woo must be filled by the players' base running, advancing runners, and stealing bases, along with manager Lee Kang-chul's bench management.

In a 0.5-game first-place race, what is needed is not a flashy victory but a solid win. It remains to be seen whether KT can fend off Samsung's pursuit in the lion's den by employing organizational strength and tactical execution.