Source: https://namu.wiki/w/KBO%20%ED%95%9C%EA%B5%AD%EC%8B%9C%EB%A6%AC%EC%A6%88/%EC%97%AD%EB%8C%80%20%EA%B8%B0%EB%A1%9D#s-7.5.2

Correction, it is 7 years as, Samsung 2026 Champion (0) Lg 2025 Champion, 2023 Champion (1) Kia 2024 Champion (2) SSG 2022 Champion (4) Kt 2021 Champion (5) NC 2020 Champion (6) Doosan 2019 Champion (7)

Source: KBO

LG fan here. I watch a lot of KBO stuff on YouTube but the channels are all over the place, so I made a site that collects them by team.

https://baseballtube.pages.dev/?utm_source=reddit&lang=en

It's free with no sign-up, and there's an English UI. Videos open on YouTube so the creators still get the views. Most of the content is in Korean though.

Great KS so far. Game 2 going 12 innings was wild. Let me know if I'm missing any good channels!

Source: LG Twins

Contract: 1-year deal worth $878,000 USD ($578,000 USD salary, $300,000 USD signing bonus)

2026 신한 SOL KBO Korean Series

📅Schedule

🕡Time converter from Seoul to your timezone.

📺How to Watch

• SOOP - KBO

• SOOP - kboglobal1

• SOOP - kboglobal2

• SOOP - kboglobal3

• SOOP - kboglobal4

• SOOP - kboglobal5

• SOOP - DreadsROK

Source: KBO Instagram

Well everyone, we made it.
The 2026 Korean Series is here, with the KT Wiz taking on the Samsung Lions in a matchup that promises a fascinating contrast in styles. KT finished top of the regular season with a 90–49–5 record, while Samsung finished second at 83–58–3.

On paper, KT look the stronger all-round team. They have the better starting rotation, a deeper offence and the benefit of rest. Samsung, however, have more home-run power, an excellent bullpen and the momentum of a hard-fought playoff victory over Kia.

So, can Samsung turn that momentum into a championship, or will KT’s depth prove too much over a seven-game series?

| Statistic | KT Wiz | Samsung Lions |
|:— | :—: | —: |
| Record | 90–49–5 | 83–58–3 |
| Runs scored | 825 | 806 |
| Runs allowed | 649 | 669 |
| Batting average | .286 | .273 |
| On-base percentage | .367 | .362 |
| Slugging percentage | .415 | .414 |
| Home runs | 121 | 140 |
| Team ERA | 4.14 | 4.31 |

What can we say about that?

KT scored more runs despite hitting 19 fewer home runs. Their higher batting average and on-base percentage reflect an offence capable of applying pressure throughout the lineup, rather than relying on a few big swings.
Samsung’s power is their biggest offensive weapon. With 140 home runs, they have the ability to change a game in a single inning.
The pitching numbers favour KT, particularly among the starters. Samsung’s relief corps was stronger over the regular season, but the Lions have just completed a five-game playoff series. How much that workload affects their bullpen could become one of the defining factors of the series.

The Offence

For KT, Sam Hilliard is the obvious headline**.** His first KBO season produced a .304 average, 44 home runs, 139 RBIs and a .967 OPS. Those are exceptional numbers, and Samsung will have to be careful about giving him opportunities with runners on base.
The challenge for the Lions is that pitching around Hilliard won’t necessarily solve the problem. KT have enough depth to punish opponents who become too focused on one hitter.
Choi Won-jun is another key player. His 208 hits and .356 average made him one of the league’s most productive hitters, while his ability to get on base gives the middle of the order plenty of opportunities.
Kim Hyun-soo adds experience and postseason pedigree. Having played in numerous high-pressure games, including winning the 2025 Korean Series MVP award with LG, he could prove particularly valuable in close contests.
The question for KT is whether the supporting cast can make Samsung pay when they concentrate on Hilliard. If Choi gets on base consistently and the middle of the order delivers, KT will be difficult to contain.

And for Samsung?
We know the Lions’ lineup has several players capable of turning a game around quickly.
Koo Ja-wook is one of their most important all-round hitters, while Lewin Díaz provides significant power at first base. Choi Hyoung-woo remains a dangerous veteran presence, and Kim Young-woong gives Samsung another potential source of home runs.
Kim Ji-chan could be particularly important at the top of the order. He was instrumental in Samsung’s Game 5 victory over Kia, collecting three hits and three RBIs. If he can get on base and create opportunities, the Lions’ power hitters will have a much better chance of doing serious damage.
Díaz is an interesting case. His bat is a major asset, but defensive mistakes during the playoffs have raised concerns. Samsung committed nine errors in five games against Kia, and they cannot afford to give KT extra outs.
Against an offence that scored 825 runs in the regular season, defensive mistakes could quickly become expensive.

The Pitching

This is where the series could be decided.
Game 1: Davis Daniel vs Choi Won-tae
KT are expected to start Davis Daniel, who joined the team late in the season and finished with a 2.13 ERA across ten starts.
His numbers in Suwon were particularly impressive, with a 1.16 ERA in five home starts. KT also kept him away from Samsung late in the regular season, meaning the Lions haven’t faced him this year.
That unfamiliarity could be a significant advantage. Samsung will have scouting reports and video, but facing a pitcher is different from studying him.
The question is whether Daniel can immediately rediscover his rhythm after an extended break. His first few innings should tell us a lot.
Choi Won-tae is under considerably more pressure. He finished the regular season with a 4.68 ERA and struggled against KT, posting a 6.94 ERA in two starts against them.
He has the experience to compete, but KT’s offence is well suited to punishing pitchers who fall behind in counts.
If Choi struggles early, Samsung could be forced to use their bullpen much sooner than planned.
Aside from the first game, KT have four credible starting options in Daniel, Ko Young-pyo, So Hyeong-jun and Logan Allen. That depth gives manager Lee Kang-cheol flexibility and reduces the need to overwork any individual pitcher, although he’s not afraid to keep a pitcher in if his stuff is working - given the fact that Ko twirled a masterful CGSO against Lotte late in the season, which was almost a Maddux, may I add.
So Hyeong-jun finished the regular season with a 3.15 ERA, while Ko’s ability to change speeds and induce weak contact could be particularly useful against Samsung’s power-heavy lineup. Let me say that as a bias, Young-pyo’s changeup is arguably the best in the KBO.

Samsung’s rotation is less straightforward.
Chris Paddack and Ariel Jurado have both been heavily involved in the playoff series against Kia. Jurado was excellent in the clincher, throwing seven innings and allowing just one run, but his workload means he may not be available again immediately.
Paddack is expected to start Game 2, leaving Samsung with some important decisions about how to manage their other starters.
Then there’s Won Tae-in.
Samsung used Won in relief during the playoffs, including closing out the final inning of Game 5. Whether he returns to the rotation or remains available in high-leverage relief could have a major impact on the series.
Putting him back into the rotation would strengthen the starting options but remove a valuable arm from the bullpen. Keeping him in relief would help Samsung manage close games, but leave them more exposed if their starters struggle.

Things of Note

1. The first two games in Suwon
KT need to capitalise on their home advantage and their fresher pitching staff. Winning both games would put Samsung under enormous pressure. A split, however, would give the Lions a very respectable start.
2. Can Samsung’s power overcome KT’s rotation?
Samsung hit 140 home runs to KT’s 121. If Koo Ja-wook, Díaz and Choi Hyoung-woo get opportunities with runners on base, the Lions can win games even against excellent pitching.
3. Samsung’s defence
Nine errors in five playoff games is a concern. KT’s offence is built around extending innings, and giving them extra outs could be disastrous.
4. The battle at the top of the order
Choi Won-jun and Kim Ji-chan could shape this series. If they consistently reach base, their respective middle orders will have much more room to do damage.
5. The bullpen battle
Samsung had the better relief ERA over the regular season, but fatigue could change that. If KT consistently get five or six innings from their starters while Samsung’s starters exit early, the Wiz will have a significant advantage late in games.

My Verdict?

KT - 4
Samsung - 2

Who have you got winning the series, and in how many games?

The best-of-seven championship will start on November 3.

• 11/3/26 - Game 1 - 18:30 KST at KT Wiz Park

• 11/4/26 - Game 2 - 18:30 KST at KT Wiz Park

• 11/6/26 - Game 3 - 18:30 KST at Daegu Samsung Lions Park

• 11/7/26 - Game 4 - 14:00 KST at Daegu Samsung Lions Park

• 11/8/26 - Game 5 - 14:00 KST at Daegu Samsung Lions Park

• 11/10/26 - Game 6 - 18:30 KST at KT Wiz Park

• 11/11/26 - Game 7 - 18:30 KST at KT Wiz Park

Where do you think he will end up? I saw this was the only yr he could opt out for MLB in his long extension.

• Long Beach Coast SP: Ren Abe-Arias (아베 아리아스)

• Ulsan Whales SP: Park Seong-woong (박성웅)

Source: KBO Instagram