Professional baseball team Samsung Lions are set to welcome back veteran catcher Kang Min-ho as they continue their historic surge.
On May 13, Samsung will face the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in the 2026 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League away game. The previous day, Samsung secured a dominant 9-1 victory, with starter Choi Won-tae pitching six scoreless innings and key hitters Koo Ja-wook, Choi Hyung-woo, Diaz, Park Seung-gyu, and Lee Jae-hyun displaying impressive batting form.
Samsung has now won eight consecutive games for the first time since a similar streak from May 13-22, 2014—a gap of 4,373 days. With a record of 22 wins, 1 draw, and 14 losses in 37 games, they sit in second place, just one game behind league leaders KT Wiz. The team is playing with the kind of intensity reminiscent of their golden dynasty era.
Samsung’s team batting average stands at .274 (third in the league), while their team ERA is a league-best 3.93. They have committed the fewest errors (18) among all 10 clubs, showcasing a well-rounded game with strong offense, solid pitching, and reliable defense.
This all-around performance is the driving force behind Samsung’s winning streak. Now, the experienced “home captain” Kang Min-ho is set to rejoin the squad.
Kang struggled early this season, posting a .197 batting average in 27 first-team games. He was sent to the minors for a reset and is now returning. The catcher had recorded double-digit home runs for 16 consecutive seasons from 2010 (when he was with the Lotte Giants) through 2025. Last season, he batted .269 with 12 home runs and 71 RBIs in 127 games. A former national team member known for his exceptional game-calling and pitcher management, Kang’s return could provide an extra boost to Samsung’s already formidable momentum.
Samsung, aiming for their ninth straight win, will send Won Tae-in to the mound. Won has a 1-2 record with a 3.29 ERA over five starts this season. In his most recent outing on May 7 against the Kiwoom Heroes, he pitched seven scoreless innings to earn the win. This will be his second start against LG this season; on April 19, he took the loss after allowing four runs in 4⅔ innings at home. All eyes will be on whether he can avenge that defeat at Jamsil.
