Lions ready to host Game 1 of Series


The SK Wyverns and Samsung Lions, the two best teams in the country’s top baseball league, will meet again in the Korean Series, which starts on Tuesday.

On Sunday, the Wyverns defeated the regular-season runners-up the Lotte Giants 8-4 in Game 5 of the second round of the playoffs to advance to the Series.

Wyvern’s slugger Park Jung-kwon hit two two-run homers to help the team win the best-of-five series.

And with the victory, the Incheon-based Wyverns are now heading to Daegu to meet the regular-season champions, the Lions, in the best-of-seven Series. The two teams also met in the 2010 Korean Series, where the Wyverns clinched a 4-0 sweep to win their third title.

This year, however, the Lions have a slight edge over the Wyverns with a 10-8 record in the regular season.

Moreover, the Incheon team’s bullpen is looking fatigued from the hard-fought playoffs, but the well-rested Lions pitchers are ready to take the mound.

Lions manager Ryu Joong-il said Sunday that he was glad to be meeting the Wyverns again.

“The series we lost last year hurt us and we’re very happy and looking forward to pay them back,” he said.

Ryu, who has served as a coach for the team since 2000, took the helm from former manger Sun Dong-yeol at the end of the 2010 season.

In his debut season, Ryu led the Lions to be crowned the regular-season champions for the first time in five years.

Meanwhile, Wyverns interim manager Lee Man-soo knows very well who he is dealing with.

He was the league’s best-known hitter during his time with the Lions before his retirement in 1997.

“I’m excited to be back in Daegu. I know the majority will support the home side, but I’m expecting to receive some cheers from the crowd,” Lee said.

Observers say this year’s Series will be a clash between the bullpens.

The Lions count big on their formidable closer Oh Seung-hwan. The 29-year-old was a key player in the team’s title wins in 2005 and 2006.

Despite his obvious talent, Oh has slumped due to injuries over the last two years. This season, however, the right-hander made a successful comeback, clinching a season-best 47 saves.

Although the Wyverns don’t have a strong closer, they have faith in others. Led by left-hander Jeong Woo-ram, the Wyverns bullpen has a combined 38 wins this season.

Meanwhile, on offense, slugger Choi Hyung-woo, who hit 30 home runs and had 118 RBIs this season, is expected to lead the Lions’ lineup.

For the Wyverns, 30-year-old slugger Park is the most formidable hitter on the team. Although he had a rather quiet season with only 13 homers, he proved his prowess during the playoffs, recording a .381 batting average with three home runs.

The first game of the Korean Series is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Lions’ home in Daegu.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)