As the postseason drama heats up in the KBO League, all eyes turn to the Samseong Lions, who have clinched a coveted fourth-place finish and are now preparing for their first-ever appearance in the Wild Card round. The anticipation is palpable, with head coach Park Jin-man revealing a strategic pitching plan that could make all the difference as the Lions look to advance deeper into October baseball.
The Lions secured their postseason berth in emphatic fashion, shutting out the KIA Tigers 5-0 on September 30, 2025, at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. That victory locked up fourth place for Samseong, taking the pressure off their remaining games and allowing the coaching staff to focus on postseason preparations. As Park Jin-man put it, "We are approaching the series as if we already have one win because we are the fourth-place team. If we were fifth, one loss would end it for us, but as the fourth-place team, we only need one win to advance."
Under KBO postseason rules, the fourth-place team in the regular season enjoys a crucial advantage in the Wild Card round: they only need to record one win or one draw in up to two games to move on to the semifinals, while the fifth-place team must sweep both games. This format, introduced in 2015, has never before included the Samseong Lions—making this year’s entry a historic first for the franchise. Only Hanwha Eagles and Lotte Giants now remain as the teams yet to appear in a Wild Card round.
Coach Park has been methodical in his approach, especially regarding his pitching rotation. On October 3, 2025, Park confirmed that his two aces—Ariel Jurado and Won Tae-in—would handle starting duties in the Wild Card series. While he stopped short of specifying the exact order, it’s widely expected that Jurado will take the mound in Game 1, with Won Tae-in ready for Game 2 if necessary. Park explained his rationale, saying, "Our one-two punch is Jurado and Won Tae-in. The rest will be on standby in the bullpen. If the series ends in Game 1, that’s ideal, but we have the luxury of a margin for error as the fourth-place team."
Jurado, who has been a workhorse for the Lions all season, boasts a record of 15 wins and 8 losses across 30 games, pitching 197 1/3 innings with an impressive 2.60 ERA. His consistent dominance on the mound has given the Lions a reliable anchor. Won Tae-in, meanwhile, has also been a force, posting 12 wins and 4 losses over 27 games, totaling 166 2/3 innings with a 3.24 ERA. These two have been the backbone of the Samseong rotation, and their postseason readiness could be the key to a Lions run.
But what about the rest of the pitching staff? Park has made some tactical moves in the lead-up to the Wild Card round. On October 3, he removed pitchers Won Tae-in, Kim Tae-hoon, Herson Garabito, Kim Jae-yoon, and Ariel Jurado from the active roster, presumably to keep them fresh for the postseason. In their place, pitchers Choi Choong-yeon and Hong Won-pyo, along with infielder Lee Hae-seung, were called up for the regular season finale. The plan, Park explained, was to let younger arms handle the final game against KIA, ensuring his main pitchers are well-rested for the playoff push.
Garabito, another rotation option, will be deployed out of the bullpen for the Wild Card round. Park elaborated, "Garabito will be in the bullpen for the Wild Card round. If we advance to the semifinals, we’ll need at least three starters, so he’ll shift back to the rotation then." Garabito’s season numbers—15 games, 78 1/3 innings, 4 wins, 4 losses, and a 4.02 ERA—give the Lions a versatile weapon, whether in relief or as a starter.
Of course, the weather has thrown a wrench into the Lions’ plans. The October 3 game against KIA was rained out, pushing the regular season finale to October 4. Park voiced some concern about the impact of the rainout, noting, "It’s not ideal to have a road game canceled by rain. It helps the pitchers, but the fielders can get sluggish. At home, there’s more freedom, but here, the players are stuck in the hotel and can’t move around as much. Their rhythm can suffer." Still, Park made sure to bring all his key hitters to Gwangju for the game, explaining, "The pitchers stayed in Daegu, but the fielders need to keep their timing. There’s no break before the Wild Card round, so they need to stay sharp."
The Lions’ opponent in the Wild Card round remains undecided, thanks to another rainout between the NC Dinos and SSG Landers. As of now, NC holds the inside track for fifth place, but a late surge by KT could shake things up. No matter who the opponent is, Samseong’s aces have performed well against both. Jurado has a 3.26 ERA against KT and a sparkling 2.10 ERA against NC, while Won Tae-in checks in at 3.08 versus KT and 2.77 against NC. Those numbers bode well for the Lions, regardless of the matchup.
Park’s confidence in his staff is clear: "Our strength is in our starting pitching. We’ve been practicing hard, and our rotation is set. We’re not worried." The team’s preparation has been meticulous. The coaching staff has analyzed potential opponents, and Park has sought advice from colleagues with postseason experience. "We’ve been getting a lot of advice and doing plenty of analysis," he told reporters. The sense of calm and readiness is evident throughout the clubhouse.
As the Lions gear up for their first taste of Wild Card action, there’s a sense of history in the air. This is uncharted territory for the franchise, but with a deep, rested pitching staff and a methodical approach from the coaching staff, Samseong looks set to make a serious run. The postseason is always unpredictable—can the Lions’ aces carry them into the semifinals, or will the pressure of the moment prove too much?
The answer will come soon enough. For now, the Lions and their fans can savor the anticipation. The stage is set, the rotation is ready, and a new chapter in Samseong’s postseason history is about to be written. All that remains is to play ball and see who rises to the occasion.
