The last Hanshin–Hiroshima score hides a different pitching setup for this matchup. KT–Samsung’s season series also looks different when the games at KT’s park are separated out. Nishi’s return and So Hyeong-jun’s recent work give these games more shape than the headline results. Those matchup details are why I like this pairing.
Hanshin had nine hits but only two runs in its 2–1 meeting with Hiroshima, which started with Ohtake on the mound. Nishi is set to start his retirement game after more than a month without an official outing; his previous start lasted 3⅓ innings and brought four earned runs. Both teams used five pitchers in their last meeting, putting the middle innings in focus.
KT had 13 hits against Lotte and 15 against Kiwoom in its last two wins. So’s last start against KIA was six innings with two earned runs. Samsung needed 6⅓ innings from four relievers in its latest win after its starter exited in the third, while KT got eight innings from Logan Allen one game earlier. Samsung leads the season series, but KT won two of the three listed meetings at its own park.
