Samsung Lions lead the Korean Series bullpen battle without their star closer
On paper, KT had the better closer. But with Samsung's saves leader sidelined by injury, the Lions are holding the edge in the Korean Series bullpen duel.
Before the Korean Series began this week, the bullpen battle looked like it would favour the KT Wiz. Now the Samsung Lions are holding the edge, even without their best closer.
On paper, KT had the stronger name at the back end. All-Star closer Park Yeong-hyun finished third in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) with 30 saves in the regular season.
Samsung, meanwhile, were without their own All-Star closer, Kim Jae-yoon. He led the league with 35 saves, but he was ruled out of the postseason in October with an upper body injury.
Losing the league's saves leader would hurt any team heading into a championship series. Yet the Lions' relievers have kept them ahead in this part of the matchup, according to reports from Daegu on Nov. 6.
It shows how a series can turn on depth rather than one famous name. Both teams now rely on their bullpens to protect tight leads, and the Lions are proving they can do it without their star.
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