Samsung Draws Its Sword, Hanwha Raises Its Shield... Díaz vs. Ponce: KBO League Monster Showdown

[Financial News] Daejeon is heating up again in the fall of 2025. The Hanwha Eagles and Samsung Lions will clash for the first time in 18 years for a ticket to the Korean Series, starting with the playoff (best-of-five) on the 17th.
This is a 'rematch' 18 years in the making since the 2007 Semi-playoffs. The two teams have met five times in KBO League postseason history, with victories alternating between them. If the pattern holds, it’s Samsung’s turn. But autumn baseball is not about numbers—it's about emotion and timing.
This playoff series is packed with compelling storylines. The emotional narratives and inevitable confrontations at Daejeon’s ballpark go far beyond the simple MVP race between Ponce and Díaz.
Hanwha’s Cody Ponce is the undisputed ace, claiming four crowns this season with a 17-1 record, 1.89 ERA, 252 strikeouts, and a .944 winning percentage. Samsung’s Lewin Díaz has dominated at the plate, leading the league with 50 home runs, 158 RBIs, and a .660 slugging percentage. It’s a clear-cut 'regular season MVP' showdown.
Interestingly, the two have faced each other only once this season. In that game, Díaz went 1-for-3 against Ponce. While the sample size is small, their matchup could determine the direction of this series.

Son Ah-seop and Kang Min-ho are two veterans who have been fixtures in the KBO League since the mid-2000s. Yet, neither has ever won a championship. Both started their careers with Lotte, the 'Children of the Sea,' but now don the uniforms of the Eagles and the Lions.
Earlier this year at Media Day, Kang Min-ho was skeptical about Son Ah-seop’s chances of winning a title. However, after Son was traded to Hanwha mid-season, he suddenly became a top championship contender. Kang Min-ho, 39, and Son Ah-seop, 36—who will complete the final piece of their career puzzle first? This is the 'veterans’ long-awaited showdown' that excites baseball fans the most.


Hanwha’s Jung Woo-joo and Samsung’s Bae Chan-seung are just 19 years old and new to the pro scene. Yet, they have already become key bullpen assets. Jung Woo-joo has posted 3 wins, 3 holds, and a 2.85 ERA, while Bae Chan-seung has recorded 19 holds and a 3.91 ERA, serving as the heart of their teams’ bullpens.
When a 150 km/h fastball blazes across the autumn stage, fans will feel the 'future of the KBO League.' The postseason experience these young pitchers gain will become a valuable asset for their teams, far beyond mere statistics.


Hanwha ranks first in team ERA, second in opponent batting average, and first in strikeouts during the regular season. Samsung, on the other hand, is second in team batting average, first in home runs, and first in OPS. The identities are clear: Samsung is the 'sword,' Hanwha is the 'shield.' Hanwha’s strength lies in its starting rotation. Ultimately, the outcome hinges on whether Samsung’s offense can break through Hanwha’s starters.
Daejeon, the site of Games 1 and 2, favors Hanwha. The regular season head-to-head was tied at 8 wins apiece, but Hanwha holds a slight edge in Daejeon with 5 wins and 4 losses. Moreover, Samsung has expended energy through the Wild Card Game and Semi-playoffs, while Hanwha has enjoyed two weeks of rest.
Hanwha can deploy its one-two punch of Ponce and Ryan Weiss at the start of the playoffs, but Samsung’s Won Tae-in and Ariel Jurado may not appear until Games 3 or 4. This 'timing' could be the decisive factor in the series.
Hanwha dreams of its first championship in 26 years, since 1999. Samsung is aiming for its ninth title. The MVP battle, the veterans’ quest, the rookies’ first postseason test, the clash of team identities, and the stage set at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park—all of it begins on the 17th. The curtain rises on the one and only series that will set baseball fans’ hearts ablaze.


jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter