Lions, Wyverns to play 3rd straight Korean Series

By Jung Min-ho

The SK Wyverns are into the Korean Series where they will meet defending champions the Samsung Lions in the best-of-seven season series starting today at the Daegu Baseball Stadium. The Wyverns defeated the Lotte Giants 6-3 in Game 5 of the second playoff round Monday to reach the season finale.

The two rivals will face off for the third consecutive time in the Korea Baseball Organization’s (KBO) title round. Last year, the Lions were victorious in five games after the Wyverns swept the previous series to claim the title.

“I knew the Wyverns would advance to the Korean Series,” Lions manager Ryu Joong-il said Tuesday. “We have prepared for the game with the proper training and rest for the past 20 days, and we are very confident in repeating last year’s victory.”

The Lions are the favorites to add a second championship in three years. After wrapping up the regular season top of the standings with 80 wins, 51 losses and two draws, the Daegu-based club advanced directly to the series, while the Wyverns had to play five games against the Giants to get there. A long break for the Lions’ pitchers, their last match was on Oct. 10, means they will be well-rested compared to their Wyverns’ counterparts.

Furthermore, the reigning champions seem stronger than last year, showing few weaknesses through the season. The Lions not only showed their firepower with the highest batting average and RBIs with .272 and 628 respectively but also their defensive prowess with the lowest ERA at 3.39. The Wyverns managed only fourth and fifth spot among the eight teams with a 3.77 ERA and a .257 batting average respectively. Nonetheless, when it comes to head-to-head meetings this season, the Wyverns hold a 10-9 edge.

“Boosted by the final game of the second playoff round, our team’s morale is high,” Wyverns manager Lee Man-soo said. “Although we only have a one-day break, we will try to take that momentum into the game.”

The Lions’ stability is another weapon. After a shaky start, they reached the top of the standings on the first day of July and stayed there until the season’s end, except for one day, July 7, when they lost to SK. On the other hand, the Wyverns have been through hell and high water. After finishing the All-Star break in sixth, 6.5 games behind the Lions, they climbed to second on Sept. 18 where they remained.

With sluggers who can deliver at crunch time, the Lions are pinning their hopes on Lee Seung-yeop, whereas the Wyverns are counting on Jeong Keun-woo, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the playoffs’ second round.

Although Lee is less powerful than in his heyday during the 2003 season when he hit 56 homers, he is still a key part of the Lions’ offense and one of the KBO’s all-time greatest batters. This season the 36-year-old hit 21 home runs and managed a .307 batting average to come fifth and sixth respectively in those standings.

“SK is a good team and we were No. 1 in the regular season. If we try our best, I believe we will be able to take a second consecutive title,” Lee said.

Although Jeong’s tally is less impressive, the 30-year-old played a pivotal role in his team’s last two victories with five hits in six at-bats.

The Lions will play the initial two games at home today and Thursday, while the Wyverns will host the next two at the Munhak Baseball Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.