Hanwha Eagles Target KBO Playoff Glory Starting September 17

DAEJEON, South Korea — The Hanwha Eagles, spearheaded by head coach Kim Kyung-moon, kick off their quest for KBO postseason success with Game 1 scheduled for September 17 at Hanwha Life Ball Park. They will face the Samsung Lions, managed by Park Jin-man, in the best-of-five playoff series.

This season, the Eagles secured a solid second-place finish in the regular league standings with 83 wins, 4 draws, and 57 losses, ensuring direct entry into the playoffs. The Lions entered the postseason after a thrilling performance, having finished fourth in the league with 74 wins, 2 draws, and 68 losses. They triumphed over the fifth-place NC Dinos in the wild-card round and followed up with a series victory over the SSG Landers.

The Eagles’ pitching staff has been a crucial element of their success, with standout performances from starters Cody Ponce (17-1, 1.89 ERA), Ryan Weiss, Ryu Hyun-jin, and Moon Dong-joo, further supported by a reliable bullpen. Kim Seo-hyun leads the bullpen, boasting impressive stats including 33 saves.

Um Sang-baek, a right-handed submarine pitcher, has faced struggles throughout the season, recording 2 wins and 7 losses with a 6.58 ERA. However, he made a notable comeback in September, pitching to a 0.87 ERA in his last appearances. As the postseason arrives, expectations are high for Um to contribute significantly to the Eagles’ bullpen.

In the lead-up to Game 1, manager Kim shared insights during a press conference, noting concerns about transitioning to a day game after the original evening schedule was postponed due to weather. He stressed that day games could favor pitchers due to players’ adjustments to sleep schedules.

Samsung’s manager, Park Jin-man, acknowledged the difficulties day games pose for hitters. Both teams are aware of the advantage possessed by their starting pitchers, with Ponce’s record against the Lions being particularly strong. During their last matchup on July 30, Ponce pitched six scoreless innings.

The winning team in the first game of the playoffs historically has a 76.5% chance of securing advancement to the Korean Series, raising the stakes for both teams as they embark on this playoff journey. As the first game approaches, excitement builds for a highly competitive matchup.