SSG Landers vs KT Wiz Preview – June 25 | Beniziano vs So Hyeong-jun

Starting Pitcher Breakdown

The pitching matchup presents a stark contrast in form and reliability. SSG Landers will deploy Beniziano, a foreign starter struggling with consistency throughout the 2026 season. His record stands at 2-5 with an elevated ERA of 5.91 and a concerning WHIP of 1.57 across 70 innings pitched. While his strikeout rate of 57 strikeouts demonstrates sufficient velocity and stuff, the 29 walks allowed indicate persistent control issues. Beniziano’s pitch arsenal relies heavily on a fastball averaging 147 kilometers per hour at 38% usage, supplemented by a sweeper at 129 kilometers per hour and a two-seamer at 146 kilometers per hour. This limited arsenal and struggle to locate consistently represent significant vulnerabilities against KT’s lineup.

Conversely, KT Wiz will counter with So Hyeong-jun, who has established himself as a dependable starter early in the season. His record of 3-0 demonstrates perfect execution in limited opportunities, while an ERA of 3.48 and respectable WHIP of 1.32 across 44 innings indicate solid command and run prevention. The 40 strikeouts against merely 9 walks reflects exceptional control, representing a 4.4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio significantly superior to Beniziano’s 2.0-to-1 mark. So’s pitch mix emphasizes a two-seam fastball at 144 kilometers per hour comprising 50% of his offerings, complemented by a changeup at 130 kilometers per hour and a cutter at 140 kilometers per hour. This balanced distribution and superior execution establish So as a clear advantage for KT in this critical starting pitcher comparison.

Team Form and Recent Performance

SSG Landers enter this contest in ninth place with a record of 30 wins, 2 draws, and 41 losses, representing an underperforming squad that sits 12 games behind the second-place KT Wiz. Their recent five-game stretch reveals inconsistency and volatility. Beniziano’s last appearance resulted in a narrow 5-4 victory against KT, followed by a decisive 2-13 loss to the same opponent. The Landers subsequently defeated NC Dinos 7-3 and 12-5, demonstrating capability against weaker competition, before suffering a 3-9 defeat to NC. This pattern suggests SSG performs adequately against struggling teams while consistently faltering against competitive opponents.

KT Wiz, conversely, occupy second place with an impressive 42-1-29 record, establishing themselves as legitimate contenders. So Hyeong-jun’s recent performance mirrors broader team stability. His most recent outing concluded in a 4-5 loss to SSG, a notable setback, but his previous four appearances demonstrated resilience. KT recorded a commanding 13-2 victory over SSG, sandwiched between struggles against KIA Tigers with alternating losses and wins. Despite recent volatility against KIA, KT’s superior win total and standing indicate more consistent overall execution and roster depth compared to the struggling Landers.

Head-to-Head History

The season series between these clubs presents particularly relevant context for this matchup. SSG Landers have established slight dominance with seven wins, zero draws, and four losses against KT across their eleven encounters. This 7-4 record may suggest competitive advantage for the away team, yet critical context reveals significant nuance. SSG’s recent triumph over KT—the aforementioned 5-4 victory where Beniziano pitched—occurred within a broader pattern of inconsistent SSG performance. The subsequent 2-13 and 3-9 losses to KT and NC respectively indicate that SSG’s head-to-head advantage does not necessarily translate to current form or reliability. Additionally, KT’s second-place standing despite this head-to-head disadvantage suggests their overall roster construction and recent form may override historical tendencies in determining this particular contest’s outcome.

Key Matchup to Watch

The critical matchup centers on KT Wiz’s offensive performance against Beniziano’s vulnerable fastball-dependent arsenal. With 38% of his pitches registering as fastballs at 147 kilometers per hour and considerable control deficiencies evidenced by the 1.57 WHIP, Beniziano presents an exploitable target for KT’s competitive lineup. The Wiz’s position as second-place competitors suggests above-average offensive capability, and their recent 13-2 demolition of SSG indicates capacity to capitalize decisively against struggling opponents. If KT establishes early offensive success and forces Beniziano into unfavorable pitch counts, the likely transition to the Landers’ bullpen could accelerate SSG’s defeat. Conversely, should SSG’s lineup generate early offensive pressure against So Hyeong-jun—historically a challenging proposition given his superior control—the dynamic could shift substantially. However, So’s perfect 3-0 record and recent dominance suggest this scenario remains unlikely.

Prediction

Analytical assessment of available data strongly favors KT Wiz. The substantial disparity in starting pitcher quality, combined with KT’s superior team standing, recent form, and demonstrated offensive capability against SSG, creates a compelling foundation for predicting a home victory. While SSG’s 7-4 head-to-head advantage presents minor counter-evidence, the team’s inconsistent recent performance and ninth-place standing indicate regression rather than sustainable competitive advantage. KT’s balanced pitch arsenal, exceptional control, and ability to execute consistently against inferior competition provide multiple pathways to victory. The Landers’ control issues and limited offensive firepower compared to second-place KT suggest run-scoring difficulties. Expect KT to establish early offensive momentum against Beniziano’s predictable fastball-heavy approach and secure a decisive victory at home in Suwon.