At the start of the 2026 KBO Season, sports analysts predicted the Samsung Lions as potential contenders for the Korean Series championship, with most placing them in second place. Early in the season, the Lions met expectations, posting a 22-15 record and standing near the top. But weaknesses quickly surfaced beneath the strong record.
(Jayden Park)
The trouble began on April 8 against the KIA Tigers as the Lions revealed their first signs of trouble. The Tigers humiliated the Lions’ pitching and batting lineup, beating them 15-5. Despite the Tigers’ loss of their keystone combo and designated hitter, they outperformed left-handed starting pitcher Seung-Hyung Lee, giving Lee twelve earned runs and benching him after the third inning. The Tigers’ blowout on Sunday exposed the fragility of the Lions’ pitching staff and bullpen.
Before the series against the Tigers, Samsung beat the NC Dinos in their home park. With the return of Park Seung Gyu, Daegu’s reign for the championship roared again; Park almost hit for the cycle. His return gave signs of hope for fans, but the numbers against the low-performing team didn’t look great.
Looking back to last season, frontline right-handed starting pitcher Ariel Jurado performed 23 quality starts (threw six innings and allowed up to three runs) and 15 Quality Starts Plus (threw more than six innings and allowed up to three runs), providing the Lions with a reliable ace. But whenever Jurado records a QS, the hits don’t follow up for his win. Despite Jurado’s seven Quality Starts this season, he was backed up by an underperforming bullpen, as pitchers recorded only two wins.
Additionally, right-handed ace Won Tae-In’s return to the mound gave fans some breathing room as Lions’ pitchers couldn’t hold onto a lead. Nevertheless, Won’s return backfired with his poor attitude in the game on April 19. In the match against the LG Twins, the TV broadcast captured Won Tae-In cursing at second baseman Ryu Ji-Hyuk after contradictory communication for the out count. Fans criticized Won’s behavior toward the veteran after his underwhelming performance, giving up four runs in four and ⅓ innings.
To alleviate the trouble, catcher Kang Min-Ho explained on Instagram, “There are no ill-mannered juniors on the team,” and that the scene occurred because LG’s third base coach Jung Soo-sung’s actions were intimidating, which led to a bigger issue. Then, the Lions went on a seven-game losing streak, and fans blamed the right-hander for the “curse.”
Brian Hyun, a tenured Samsung Lions fan in 12th grade, said, “A championship potential team requires a balance between great batters and stable pitchers. A good example of this would be the 2010 Lotte Giants, where, although they had probably the greatest batter lineup in the history of KBO, they ended 4th in the pennant race.”
Lions’ pitching trouble continues despite the attempts to elevate their bullpen through the Asian Quota System and free agency. This offseason, they acquired Miyaji Yura, Japanese right-hander, to ease the overload of the bullpen. However, Yura’s inconsistent pitching in tight game situations frustrates coaches, as he averages two walks per game.
(Jayden Park)
Although the Lions continue to produce offensively, concerns also remain about the lineup. Lewin Diaz, the Dominican cleanup batter, established himself as Samsung’s most dangerous hitter after last year’s first baseman Gold Glove and historic 50 home run season. As he continues to dominate the diamond, opposing teams intentionally throw balls outside of the zone or walk him when the Lions are in scoring position. If the table setters don’t load the bases, pitchers can easily get an out count, which limits the Lions’ offensive power.
Fans also worry about reliance on veteran slugger Choi Hyung-woo. “I honestly think that fans and the team are relying on Choi Hyung Woo too much,” said Logan Nam, a sixth-grade Samsung Lions supporter. “He, as a batter on the team, helps a lot, but my concern is if he can play left fielder one or two times a week, like how the coaches said.”
While Choi’s return excited fans during the offseason, relying heavily on a 42-year-old player during a 144-game season presents clear challenges: the inability to train young phenoms.
Injuries remain another growing concern for Samsung. Players such as Kim Ji-chan and Kim Seong Yoon solely rely on their speed for offensive production, meaning even minor injuries could significantly impact the lineup. The team’s lack of depth already became noticeable in recent seasons.
After infielder Yang Do-geun left for military service last year, the Lions struggled to find a reliable replacement. Several temporary call-ups from the Futures League (Minor League of KBO) failed to provide stability, exposing the organization’s limited bench.
For now, the Lions remain near the top of the standings. But as the season continues, questions around pitching consistency, lineup balance, and player health continue to grow.
Samsung may still have the talent to compete for the Korean Series, but unless those problems are resolved, the promising start could ultimately prove to be a mirage.
