Dinos vs Samsung Lions Prediction 23 August 2026
📡 NC Dinos came close to securing back-to-back wins over Samsung. The hosts led 6-5 after four innings, but conceded three late runs and ultimately fell 6-8. For the decisive game of the series, NC have a much more reliable presence on the mound-Riley Thompson, who remains unbeaten this season, gets the start. The starting pitching matchup is at the heart of this prediction.
Head-to-Head
📊 Samsung are firmly in control of the season series at 10-4, though their last two games in Changwon were tightly contested. NC first edged a 3-2 win before falling 6-8 in the rematch. The hosts have already proven they can trouble one of the league’s frontrunners, racking up 12 hits and six runs in that second encounter. While Samsung still hold a significant head-to-head advantage, recent matchups have been much more competitive than the overall series stats suggest.
Head-to-head statistics Dinos - Samsung Lions
Dinos Team Overview
NC Dinos hold a 48-55-2 record, are batting .274 as a team, with a collective ERA of 4.82 and 100 home runs on the season. On Saturday, their offense looked sharp, racking up 12 hits and six runs, highlighted by a Kim Hyun-jun homer and four RBIs from the catcher. However, the bullpen faltered late-after taking a 6-5 lead, they surrendered two runs in the eighth inning and another in the ninth. A strong, lengthy outing from Thompson could go a long way toward minimizing that risk.
Match Results: Dinos
Samsung Lions Team Overview
Samsung sit second in the standings with a 64-44-2 record. The team boasts a .280 batting average, a 4.29 ERA, and 104 home runs, outpacing NC across nearly every major statistical category over the course of the season. On Saturday, the visitors racked up ten hits and managed to turn the game around in the late innings, with Kim Tae Hoon delivering a home run. However, Samsung’s starter lasted just 2⅔ innings, forcing the bullpen into extended action once again.
Match Results: Samsung Lions
⚾ Starting Pitchers
Riley Thompson enters the game with a 5-0 record, a 2.98 ERA, and a 1.10 WHIP. Over 15 starts, he’s logged 87⅔ innings and racked up 116 strikeouts, delivering nine quality starts along the way. In his most recent outing against Doosan, Thompson allowed two runs over six innings. He has yet to face Samsung this season, so there’s no head-to-head data available.
Chris Paddack stands at 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA and an impressive 0.87 WHIP after five starts. In his latest appearance against SSG, he pitched six innings, allowed just one run, and struck out nine. Paddack has not yet taken the mound against the NC Dinos in KBO play. He’s put together a strong start to the season, which means the hosts are facing a much tougher challenge than last Saturday’s six-run showing might suggest.
⭐ Editor's Pick
While Samsung hold a clear advantage in the standings and season series, the case for the home side here is all about the specific dynamics of this third game. NC have played Samsung tough for two straight nights, even leading 6-5 into the eighth inning on Saturday. Now, the hosts turn to Thompson-sporting a 5-0 record, a 2.98 ERA, and 116 strikeouts-a starter who can deliver six or seven strong innings and ease the pressure on a shaky bullpen. Paddack is a quality arm as well, but NC’s offense just racked up 12 hits against Samsung, and the home side have a real shot to close out the series with a win. There’s more risk here than in most of our picks for the day, but the starting pitching matchup justifies going against the overall head-to-head numbers. In this matchup, we’re backing an NC Dinos win.
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Betting Tips: Dinos - Samsung Lions
in 12 of last 14 Dinos home games (KBO).in 7 of last 8 Dinos games (KBO).in 8 of last 9 Samsung Lions games (KBO).in last 8 games (KBO).in 6 of last 7 home games (KBO).Other predictions
