The Hanwha Eagles are set to face the Samsung Lions in the second round of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason. This highly anticipated matchup will take place at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon. The Eagles finished the regular season with a record of 83 wins, 57 losses, and 4 ties, earning a bye in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Lions secured fourth place with a record of 74 wins, 68 losses, and 2 ties, having fought through the wild card stage and first round to reach this point.
Eagles Veteran Praises Samsung Lions as Top KBO Team
Son Ah-seop, an outfielder for the Eagles, expressed his view that the Lions are currently the best team in the KBO. Despite having a superior record, Son believes his team will be the underdog in this upcoming series. He stated, “This is just from my perspective, but I think they are the best team in the KBO now.” He praised the Lions’ balanced performance in pitching and hitting, anticipating a challenging series ahead.
Key Players and Rivalry
Son, who is 37, has yet to reach the Korean Series in his lengthy career spanning 19 years. He is now just three wins away from that milestone. His good friend, Kang Min-ho, played for the Lions and reached the Korean Series last year during his 21st season. The two have made light of their different postseason journeys, joking about who would achieve this feat first.
- Son Ah-seop – Outfielder, Hanwha Eagles, 19-year career
- Kang Min-ho – Catcher, Samsung Lions, reached the Korean Series in 2024
During the playoff buildup, Son admitted to feeling jitters, contrasting his nervousness with the calm demeanor of younger teammates. He mentioned 24-year-old third baseman Roh Si-hwan, who has been lighthearted and candid about Son’s nerves. “If I had that kind of energy and mental fortitude, I would have been a better player,” Son reflected.
Outlook for the Series
As the series approaches, Kang Min-ho reiterated the importance of locking down Son as the Eagles’ leadoff hitter. He noted, “We have to make sure Ah-seop doesn’t get on base to minimize damage.” Both players are committed to supporting each other throughout this postseason journey, sharing the same goal of capturing the championship ring.
This matchup promises excitement as two formidable teams clash in pursuit of postseason glory. The Eagles aim to validate their strong regular-season performance while the Lions look to leverage their postseason experience.
