Overview
The KIA Tigers and Samsung Lions will meet on April 3, 2025, at Kia Challengers Field in Gwangju. Both teams are looking to gain momentum early in the season. The Tigers have struggled, posting a 3-5 record, while the Lions are currently second in the standings with a solid 5-3 record. Offensively, both teams have strong batting lineups, as evidenced by their similar total bases (KIA – 137, Samsung – 137) and close home run counts (KIA – 10, Samsung – 12). However, Samsungโs better pitching (5.07 ERA compared to KIA’s 4.89) gives them an edge. The matchup also suggests a game with plenty of hits and runs, as both teams are aggressive at bat but have vulnerabilities in their pitching staff.
Team Key Players
For KIA Tigers, Na Sung-bum (#47) and Kim Sun-bin (#3) are the main offensive threats. Na Sung-bum is showing solid power with 3 home runs and 9 RBIs, while Kim Sun-bin contributes with consistent hitting (.440 AVG) and high on-base percentage. On the pitching side, James Naile is expected to start. Although he hasn’t registered a win yet, his low WHIP and ERA indicate he’s capable of keeping the game close.
For Samsung Lions, Lee Jae-hyeon (#7) and Kim Ji-chan (#58) are standout performers. Lee Jae-hyeon leads the team with a .391 batting average and 9 RBIs, while Kim Ji-chan has been an on-base machine with a .484 batting average and 15 hits. Ariel Jurado, the probable starting pitcher, has a respectable 2.57 ERA and has already delivered quality innings in previous outings.
Match Pick
Recommended Pick: Over 9.5 runs
This matchup favors the over due to both teamsโ offensive capabilities and recent trends. KIAโs bullpen has shown instability, and Samsung’s hitters, led by Lee Jae-hyeon and Kim Ji-chan, have been in good form. With both teams averaging over 5 runs per game, a total of at least 10 runs is highly probable.
