KT, Samsung Managers Express Confidence in Championship Ahead of Korean Series

kt wiz manager Lee Kang-chul and Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man, standing side by side at the pinnacle of autumn baseball, voiced their determination to capture the championship trophy through an uncompromising, all-out battle in the Korean Series (a best-of-seven series).

Manager Lee Kang-chul of regular-season champions kt and manager Park Jin-man of Samsung, who advanced to the Korean Series after a grueling five-game playoff battle, revealed their resolves, team tasks, and tactical tricks ahead of the Korean Series during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korean Series Media Day held at the Ramada Plaza Suwon hotel in Gyeonggi Province on November 2.

When asked about his determination ahead of the Korean Series, manager Lee Kang-chul said, "We prepared with the mindset that it didn't matter which team climbed to the Korean Series. When we won our first championship since our founding during the 2021 season, we lifted the championship trophy at the Gocheok Sky Dome, a neutral venue rather than our home stadium, due to the aftermath of COVID-19. This time, we will share the thrill of victory in front of the citizens of Suwon."

Manager Park Jin-man stated, "In 2021, we failed to win after losing to kt in the regular season first-place tiebreaker, and in 2024, we missed out on the Korean Series championship after losing to the KIA Tigers. This time, we will unite tightly so that we do not miss the opportunity to win."

The two skippers also revealed the core tasks facing their respective teams and methods to overcome them.

Manager Lee Kang-chul explained, "As we focused on training for a long time after the regular season ended, it might take some time for our batters to find their batting form in the early part of Game 1. First of all, it is important for starting pitcher Davis Daniel to hold off the early part of the game without conceding a run. Samsung's batters gained momentum while going through the playoffs, and blocking that is our core task."

On the other hand, manager Park Jin-man said, "While frequent errors at both hot corners (first baseman Lewin Díaz and third baseman Kim Young-woong) are a source of anxiety, tight defense has originally been our team's strength, so we will be able to overcome this in the Korean Series."

Manager Park also distributed chaltteok (glutinous rice cakes) to the team inscribed with the phrase, "Players, even if the batted ball comes in clumsily, let's catch it like sticky rice cakes" ahead of Game 5 of the playoffs on November 1.

Manager Park Jin-man expressed anticipation, saying, "Díaz and Kim Young-woong are players with pride in their defensive skills. Now they have eaten the rice cakes and will catch the ball like sticky rice cakes."

In addition, manager Park said, "We have a strong left-handed batter line, and we will pierce kt's pitching staff through it."

The reason manager Park mentioned the left-handed batter line is because kt's bullpen lacks competitive left-handed pitchers.

Kt, which has suffered from a famine of left-handed relief pitchers over the past few years, prepared a clever trick to make up for this weakness in the Korean Series.

When asked if he is preparing a surprise bullpen pitcher, manager Lee Kang-chul concealed it, saying, "I will show it while playing Game 1."

Judging by the circumstances, it seems highly likely that left-handed starting pitcher Logan Allen or native left-handed starter Oh Won-seok will lend strength from the bullpen.

Ultimately, the best-case scenario for kt is for the starting rotation to hold on as long as possible, the left-handed bullpen to block at the critical juncture, and closer Park Young-hyun to wrap up the game.

Park Young-hyun finishing the game soon means victory.

Manager Lee Kang-chul also said, "I hope Park Young-hyun collects four saves and receives the Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) award."

Matching them, Samsung will utilize native ace Won Tae-in in the bullpen just like in the playoffs.

Manager Park Jin-man stated, "It seems Won Tae-in will receive the Series MVP," adding, "I hope Won Tae-in makes the final roar."

To the question of whether 42-year-old veteran Choi Hyung-woo, who showed stellar performance in the playoffs, will be deployed as a left fielder in the Korean Series as well, he said, "We will first check his physical condition," and added, "We will also consider the fact that Suwon kt wiz park has a wider outfield than Daegu Samsung Lions Park."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.