By Yoo Jee-ho
DAEGU, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- With some of the league's top pitchers locked and loaded, Kia Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho on Sunday predicted a low-scoring postseason series against the Samsung Lions.
The two longtime rivals are squaring off in the best-of-five second round in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason. The opening game set for Sunday afternoon in the southeastern city of Daegu was rained out and pushed to 6:30 p.m. Monday instead.
There will be no changes to the starting pitching matchup, with Chris Paddack going for the home team Lions and James Naile taking the ball for the Tigers at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.
Kia Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho speaks before Game 1 of the second round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu on Oct. 25, 2026, in this photo provided by the Tigers. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The Tigers swept aside the 2025 Korean Series champions LG Twins in the previous round last week, scoring 24 runs -- including 13 in the deciding Game 3 on Tuesday.
When asked if another day of rest will cool off his team's bats, Lee said this was always going to be a series dominated by pitching regardless.
"They will have their best pitching going in Game 1, and other great pitchers will follow suit in the upcoming games. I don't think there will be games where teams will score a bunch of runs," Lee said, moments after the game was canceled. "I think at least the first two games will be pretty tight. As far as hitting, I think it comes and goes on a game-to-game basis. Maybe you will score a lot one day but not so much the next day. It really depends on how hitters feel on that particular day.
"Whoever wins this series will have benefited from this rainout," Lee added with a smile.
Lee acknowledged the Lions have left-handed batters who have performed well against same-handed pitchers, which will make his bullpen usage complicated.
Kwak Do-gyu and Lee Eui-lee are the Tigers' two best bullpen options from the left side.
"I have to figure out how to use our lefty relievers against that lineup," the manager said. "There will be moments when I may have to turn to right-handers to deal with some of their left-handed bats."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
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