Samsung got the road win it needed. Now KT has to answer in Daegu. The Wiz visit the Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on Friday, November 6, for Korean Series Game 3. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. KST, which is 4:30 a.m. EST, with KBS2 carrying the Korean broadcast. The best-of-seven series is tied 1–1.
At the time of this writing the odds were not released in the sources I could verify. My early selections are KT at even money or better and Under 8.5 at -110 or better. Those are betting limits, not available sportsbook quotes.
This is an outdoor stadium with no retractable roof. The retrieved city forecast calls for temperatures around 43–45°F near first pitch, dropping toward 41°F later in the evening. Sustained winds are approximately 7–8 mph, with a listed evening precipitation probability of 0%. Game-time gusts and wind direction relative to the field were not verified. The cold supports the under slightly, but the pitching matchup matters more. Check out our full KBO picks.
Starting Pitchers
So Hyeong-jun vs Ariel Jurado
Completed 2026 regular-season statistics.
| Statistic | So Hyeong-jun — KT | Ariel Jurado — Samsung |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 10–3 | 9–3 |
| ERA | 3.15 | 3.54 |
| WHIP | 1.20 | 1.25 |
| Innings | 131⅓ | 150 |
| Strikeouts | 106 | 98 |
| Walks | 24 | 31 |
| Home runs allowed | 10 | 16 |
So gives KT a good reason to believe it can win this game on the road. His final two regular-season starts were both against Samsung. He threw five scoreless innings on October 7, then allowed one run over six innings on October 12. Four hits allowed across those 11 innings is a strong finish against this particular opponent.
That does come with a catch. His last official appearance was October 12, so Friday brings a lengthy competitive layoff. Rest helps the arm. It does not guarantee that the first inning will be sharp. Samsung should have its best opportunity if his command needs time to settle.
Jurado has the more recent postseason success. He earned Playoff MVP honors and held KIA to one unearned run over seven innings in the deciding game Sunday. Friday gives him four full days of rest.
I still would not ignore his last regular-season meeting with KT. On October 11, he allowed six runs over four innings, including two home runs and four walks. That is one start, and his subsequent Playoff work deserves weight. It also shows why backing Samsung simply because of his latest outing would leave out an important part of this matchup.
KT Has a Starting Matchup Worth Backing
KT finished the regular season 90–49–5, including 45–25–3 away. The Wiz split the first two games at home and now need to take at least one in Daegu to regain home-field advantage. Wednesday’s 3–2 loss lasted 12 innings. Thursday’s break is useful before this series resumes.
The Wiz batted .286, scored 825 runs and hit 121 home runs during the regular season. Their staff posted a 4.14 ERA and allowed 649 runs. That gives KT the stronger full-season combination of scoring and run prevention, although the difference is not large enough to make price irrelevant.
The practical task is getting back to productive innings without needing another eight-run outburst. KT scored eight in the opener and two in Game 2. Neither result should become the entire forecast for Friday. I like the visitors’ chances of doing enough against a starter they hit hard in their last regular-season meeting, provided their own starter keeps the early innings under control.
Samsung Returns Home With the Series Level
Samsung finished 83–58–3 and went 43–29–1 at home. Wednesday’s victory kept the Lions from returning to Daegu down two games. They now have three consecutive home dates on the schedule and a chance to put pressure on the regular-season champion.
The Lions scored 806 runs, batted .273 and hit 140 home runs. Their pitching staff finished with a 4.31 ERA and allowed 669 runs. The extra power is a real threat to an underdog pick on KT. A close game can change quickly if Samsung gets a runner aboard before a mistake pitch.
What makes this assignment difficult is the opposing starter’s recent work against them. Samsung does not need a dramatic change in approach, but it needs better scoring opportunities than it produced in those final two regular-season meetings. Making the starter work early would also test whether his long layoff affects his command.
Bullpen and Availability Outlook
Both teams had to cover 12 innings Wednesday. Thursday’s off day provides recovery, but it does not establish that every reliever will be equally available.
That makes useful length from the starters particularly valuable. I would not assign a decisive bullpen advantage without the final workload and availability updates. Confirmed Game 3 batting orders and complete game-day restrictions were not available at this research cutoff.
KT Wiz vs Samsung Lions Picks and Prediction
Side Pick: KT Wiz Moneyline +100 or Better
I lean KT because its starter brings the better regular-season ERA and finished with two excellent outings against Samsung. The Wiz also had the slightly stronger full-season offense and pitching staff. Samsung’s home field and recent starting-pitching form are good reasons to keep this modest. There is also the risk that the long layoff leaves KT chasing the game early. At even money or better, I would take the visitors. If KT opens as a substantial favorite, that value argument disappears.
Total Pick: Under 8.5 at -110 or Better — Conditional Best Bet
The under is my preferred play. These starters combined for only 55 walks across 281⅓ regular-season innings, giving them a reasonable chance to avoid the free baserunners that turn ordinary innings into big ones. KT’s starter also finished strongly against this lineup, while Samsung’s starter just delivered seven effective innings in an elimination game. The cold evening adds some support. Both offenses are capable, and Wednesday’s extra innings leave relief availability worth checking, so this is not a play at any number. I want 8.5 at -110 or better and would pass at a lower total.
Projected Final Score: KT Wiz 4, Samsung Lions 3
Final Picks: KT Wiz moneyline +100 or better; Under 8.5 at -110 or better — CONDITIONAL BEST BET.
Completed November 4, 2026, for the November 6 game in Korean Standard Time. Starting pitchers, betting lines, lineups, injuries, relief availability, weather and scheduling may change. Listed betting limits are editorial recommendations, not verified sportsbook offers.