Samsung Lions vs Hanwha Eagles: The 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League postseason reached a fever pitch on October 21, 2025, as the Samsung Lions hosted the Hanwha Eagles for Game 3 of their playoff series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. This highly anticipated matchup featured a compelling pitching duel between Samsung’s import player Hurado and Hanwha’s ace Ryu Hyun-jin, with the home team’s defensive excellence proving crucial in a tense fourth inning that could define the series outcome.
Setting the Stage: Playoff Baseball in Daegu
The atmosphere at Daegu Samsung Lions Park was electric as fans packed the stadium for this pivotal Game 3 of the 2025 KBO postseason playoffs. With the series on the line, both teams brought their ace pitchers to the mound, setting up what promised to be a low-scoring, defensively intense battle characteristic of October baseball.
The Samsung Lions, playing before their home crowd, handed the ball to their foreign import pitcher Hurado, who had been impressive throughout the regular season. His ability to induce ground balls and work efficiently through innings made him the ideal choice for this high-pressure situation. Manager Park Jin-man’s confidence in Hurado reflected the pitcher’s consistent performance when the stakes were highest.
On the visiting side, the Hanwha Eagles countered with one of Korean baseball’s most recognizable names: Ryu Hyun-jin. The former Major League Baseball star and Hanwha franchise cornerstone brought his vast postseason experience and crafty left-handed repertoire to this crucial game. Ryu’s presence on the mound immediately elevated the drama, as fans knew they were witnessing a classic KBO playoff pitching matchup.
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Fourth Inning Drama: Defense Wins Championships
The defining moment of the game came in the top of the fourth inning, when the Hanwha Eagles threatened to break through against Hurado. With no outs and a runner on first base, the situation was ripe for the Eagles to capitalize and potentially take control of the game. Hanwha’s powerful slugger No Si-hwan stepped to the plate, representing a dangerous threat with his ability to change the game with one swing.
However, Hurado demonstrated why Samsung trusted him in this crucial playoff start. Working with precision and intelligence, the right-hander induced a ground ball from No Si-hwan that resulted in a perfectly executed double play. The 5-4-3 double play erased the threat in an instant, shifting momentum decisively back toward the home team.
What made this moment particularly memorable wasn’t just the double play itself, but Hurado’s immediate reaction afterward. Rather than celebrating his own pitching success, the foreign pitcher turned toward third base and gestured appreciatively toward Kim Young-woong, whose defensive skill had been instrumental in turning the double play. This display of sportsmanship and team-first mentality captured the essence of championship baseball, where individual accomplishments are secondary to collective success.
Kim Young-woong: The Unsung Hero at Third Base
Third baseman Kim Young-woong’s defensive excellence throughout the game, particularly on the crucial fourth-inning double play, highlighted the often-overlooked importance of elite infield defense in playoff baseball. His quick reactions, sure hands, and precise throw to complete the double play demonstrated the hours of practice and preparation that separate good fielders from great ones.
Kim’s positioning before the pitch showed his baseball intelligence, as he anticipated the situation and prepared for a potential ground ball to his side of the infield. When No Si-hwan made contact, Kim moved laterally with cat-like quickness, fielded the ball cleanly, and delivered a strike to second base to start the twin killing. His fundamental soundness under pressure exemplified why defense becomes even more critical in the postseason, where every pitch and every play carries magnified importance.
The visible appreciation from Hurado toward Kim Young-woong also reflected the strong chemistry between Samsung’s pitching staff and their defensive unit. In championship-caliber teams, pitchers trust their fielders to make plays, allowing them to attack hitters more aggressively and work more efficiently through innings. This trust was on full display as Hurado confidently worked the inner part of the plate, knowing that if No Si-hwan put the ball in play, his defense would execute.
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Ryu Hyun-jin: The Veteran Ace Under Pressure
On the opposite side, Ryu Hyun-jin shouldered immense expectations as he took the mound for the Hanwha Eagles in this must-win Game 3. The left-hander’s legendary career, which includes successful stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays before returning to his KBO roots, made him the perfect pitcher to handle the pressure of elimination baseball.
Ryu’s approach in playoff games has always emphasized efficiency and location over pure velocity. His command of multiple pitches—particularly his devastating changeup and pinpoint fastball placement—allows him to neutralize both left-handed and right-handed hitters. Against a potent Samsung lineup featuring dangerous hitters throughout the order, Ryu needed to be at his absolute best to keep his team’s postseason hopes alive.
The contrast in pitching styles between Hurado and Ryu Hyun-jin added another layer of intrigue to this matchup. While Hurado relied more on inducing ground balls and working quickly, Ryu’s methodical approach and meticulous pitch sequencing represented a different philosophy. Both strategies can be effective in playoff baseball, making this duel a fascinating study in contrasting pitching approaches under maximum pressure.
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The Broader Playoff Context
This Game 3 between Samsung and Hanwha represented more than just a single playoff contest—it embodied the drama and intensity that make KBO postseason baseball so compelling. The playoff format, which rewards regular-season success while still providing opportunities for lower-seeded teams to advance through excellent play, creates these high-stakes matchups where every pitch matters.
For the Samsung Lions, playing at home provided a significant advantage, as the raucous Daegu crowd created an intimidating atmosphere for the visiting Eagles. Home-field advantage in playoff baseball extends beyond just crowd noise; it includes familiarity with the playing surface, comfort in routine, and the psychological boost of playing before supportive fans. Samsung’s ability to leverage this advantage, particularly through strong pitching and defense, demonstrated their championship pedigree.
The Hanwha Eagles, meanwhile, faced the challenge of winning on the road against a formidable opponent. However, with Ryu Hyun-jin on the mound, they possessed a pitcher capable of silencing opposing crowds and keeping his team competitive in any game. The Eagles’ playoff run, regardless of the eventual outcome, showcased the competitive balance that makes KBO baseball so exciting.
Defensive Excellence in Playoff Baseball
The fourth-inning double play that Hurado induced and Kim Young-woong helped complete serves as a perfect example of why defense becomes even more critical in postseason play. Regular-season games allow for more margin of error—teams can afford occasional defensive lapses knowing they’ll have 100-plus more opportunities to make up ground. In the playoffs, however, every missed opportunity can be the difference between advancing and elimination.
Samsung’s defensive alignment and execution throughout this game reflected meticulous preparation and attention to detail. Manager Park Jin-man and his coaching staff clearly emphasized the importance of positioning, communication, and fundamental soundness. When these elements combine with players executing under pressure, the result is championship-caliber defense that can carry teams through October.
The modern KBO game increasingly emphasizes defensive metrics and positioning, with teams using data analysis to optimize where fielders stand for each hitter. Kim Young-woong’s positioning on the crucial fourth-inning play suggested that Samsung’s analytics department had identified the optimal spot for him to field a potential ground ball from No Si-hwan. This marriage of preparation and execution exemplifies contemporary playoff baseball.
The Role of Foreign Players in KBO Playoffs
Hurado’s performance in this crucial Game 3 highlighted the important role that foreign import players play in KBO postseason success. Teams are allowed to roster foreign players who often provide crucial production, particularly in pitching roles. The pressure on these players is immense—they’re expected to perform at high levels in a foreign country, often while adjusting to different baseball culture, language barriers, and playing conditions.
The fact that Hurado not only performed well under pressure but also displayed the emotional intelligence to acknowledge his teammate’s defensive contribution speaks to his character and team-first mentality. Foreign players who succeed in the KBO often combine talent with cultural adaptability and genuine respect for Korean baseball traditions. Hurado’s gesture toward Kim Young-woong demonstrated all these qualities in a single moment.
Samsung’s decision to trust Hurado in this high-leverage playoff start reflected their confidence in his ability to handle pressure situations. Throughout KBO playoff history, teams that receive strong performances from their foreign players in crucial games typically advance deeper into the postseason. Hurado’s ability to induce weak contact and work efficiently through innings gave Samsung’s offense opportunities to support him with run production.
Looking Ahead: Series Implications
While this article focuses primarily on the fourth-inning drama, the outcome of Game 3 carries significant implications for the series as a whole. A Samsung victory at home would provide crucial momentum and potentially put Hanwha in a difficult position requiring multiple consecutive wins. Conversely, a Hanwha victory despite the fourth-inning setback would demonstrate their resilience and ability to overcome adversity.
The performance of both starting pitchers—Hurado and Ryu Hyun-jin—would likely influence their managers’ decisions about potential future starts later in the series. Pitch counts, effectiveness, and physical condition all factor into these crucial postseason decisions. If both pitchers worked efficiently and kept their teams competitive, we might see them again before the series concludes.
Conclusion: Playoff Baseball at Its Finest
The October 21, 2025, playoff game between the Samsung Lions and Hanwha Eagles exemplified everything that makes postseason baseball compelling: elite pitching, clutch defense, high stakes, and genuine emotional moments between teammates. Hurado’s ability to escape a fourth-inning jam by inducing a double play, combined with his heartfelt appreciation for Kim Young-woong’s defensive excellence, provided a snapshot of championship-caliber baseball.
As the 2025 KBO postseason continues, games like this one remind us why October baseball captivates fans throughout South Korea and beyond. The combination of veteran presence (Ryu Hyun-jin), emerging talent (Kim Young-woong), and reliable foreign imports (Hurado) creates a rich tapestry of storylines that will be remembered long after the final out is recorded.
Whether Samsung leverages this defensive gem to advance or Hanwha’s resilience carries them forward, the 2025 KBO playoffs are delivering the drama and excellence that fans expect from championship baseball. The image of Hurado turning to thank Kim Young-woong after the crucial double play will endure as a symbol of what makes playoff baseball special—the recognition that success requires every member of the team executing their role to perfection when it matters most.
