KBO Preview: LG Twins vs Samsung Lions | September 13 Starting Pitchers & Predictions

Starting Pitcher Breakdown

The pitching matchup between Im Chan-gyu of the LG Twins and Choi Won-tae of the Samsung Lions presents a fascinating contrast in approaches and effectiveness. Im Chan-gyu arrives at Daegu with a respectable 13-5 record and a 4.14 ERA across 139 innings pitched. His pitch arsenal demonstrates balanced distribution, relying heavily on changeups (31 percent) and fastballs (30 percent) at 123 km/h and 139 km/h respectively, complemented by a curveball comprising 27 percent of his offerings. The WHIP of 1.38 suggests moderate control issues, with 79 strikeouts against 40 walks indicating a pitcher who generates sufficient velocity but occasionally struggles with command consistency.

Choi Won-tae, the Samsung Lions’ right-hander, operates from a distinctly different philosophy. Though his 7-4 record appears less impressive than Im’s ledger, his workload of 113 1/3 innings has been managed more conservatively. Choi’s fastball dominance—comprising 40 percent of his pitch mix at 145 km/h—establishes him as a velocity-first operator. His cutter (18 percent at 136 km/h) and changeup (22 percent at 126 km/h) serve as secondary weapons. The 106 strikeouts against 37 walks demonstrates superior command discipline relative to Im, with a marginally superior 4.37 ERA. The statistical profile suggests a pitcher more reliant on overwhelming batters with velocity rather than deception.

Im’s recent performance reveals troubling trends despite his winning record. His last five outings against Samsung produced only one victory (4-3) amid three defeats, with the Lions scoring 10 and 8 runs respectively in two separate contests. This pattern of vulnerability specifically against the home team represents a critical concern for LG’s offensive aspirations in this contest.

Team Form and Recent Performance

The LG Twins occupy third position in the standings with a 69-1-55 record, reflecting a team navigating mid-table contention with inconsistent recent results. The pitching starter’s recent sequence—victories only against Samsung followed by consecutive losses to Hanwha, Kiwoom, and Samsung again—encapsulates the Twins’ broader September struggles. The team has demonstrated offensive capability but appears to lack the consistency required to mount a genuine postseason push from their current position.

Samsung Lions, conversely, command second place with a superior 74-3-48 record, positioning themselves as legitimate contenders for the Korean Series. Their recent performance illustrates why: within their last five contests, Samsung secured three victories while suffering only two defeats. The 6-4 triumph over Kiwoom and the dominant 10-4 victory against LG showcase the Lions’ capacity to generate explosive offensive output. The defensive stability, coupled with pitching depth demonstrated by managing starter workload effectively, has proven instrumental in Samsung’s sustained excellence throughout the season.

Home-field advantage at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu has historically favored the domestic squad, and recent form suggests this advantage remains pronounced. Samsung’s 6-4 and 10-4 victories over LG in their most recent meetings underscore their ability to establish early leads and maintain pressure throughout nine innings.

Head-to-Head History

The 2026 season series presents a relatively balanced historical record on paper, with LG maintaining a 7-8 advantage through 15 encounters. However, this aggregate statistic obscures critical context: the Lions have demonstrated superior performance in direct matchups during late-season contests when pitcher fatigue and roster depth become decisive factors. Samsung’s recent victories, particularly the dominant 10-4 performance, indicate momentum and confidence in direct confrontations.

The neutral standing record (7-8 in Samsung’s favor through their most recent head-to-head) masks a troubling reality for LG: their three most recent losses to Samsung were accompanied by offensive anemia, producing only three, four, and three runs respectively. This suggests systematic struggles against Samsung’s pitching approach rather than random variance or circumstantial disadvantage.

Key Matchup to Watch

The pivotal confrontation will center on LG’s ability to generate consistent contact against Choi Won-tae’s velocity-dominant approach. Samsung’s starter throws his fastball at 145 km/h with notable frequency; LG’s lineup, while capable, has shown vulnerability to high-velocity heat in recent outings. The Lions’ 106 strikeout total suggests their approach successfully induces swinging strikes against inferior competition. Whether LG’s middle-order hitters can adjust to fastball velocity or exploit the secondary offerings—particularly the relatively modest 126 km/h changeup—will largely determine the contest’s outcome.

Conversely, Samsung’s aggressive hitters must exercise discipline against Im Chan-gyu’s 31 percent changeup usage. The Twins’ starter has historically induced chase pitches from aggressive lineups; Samsung’s success will depend on maintaining plate discipline and capitalizing on fastballs elevated in the zone or changeups left over the middle of the plate.

Prediction

Considering Samsung’s superior standing, recent home dominance against LG, and Choi Won-tae’s command advantage despite marginally higher ERA, the Lions represent the probable winner. Im Chan-gyu’s specific vulnerability to Samsung batters—evidenced by the three prior defeats this season—combined with the Lions’ demonstrated ability to score runs in bunches against LG pitching supports this assessment. Samsung’s depth and organizational resilience suggest they will sustain offensive momentum from their recent victories.