KBO September Stretch Run: The Final Push Begins
The 2025 KBO season is entering its final month, and the standings couldn’t be tighter. With playoff spots still up for grabs, expanded rosters, and a packed schedule, September promises chaos and drama in Korean baseball.
Standings Snapshot (as of September 3)
| Team | Record | Games Back | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG Twins | 77-46-3 | — | 5-game lead, magic number at 15 |
| Hanwha Eagles | 72-51-3 | 5.0 | Chasing first postseason since 2018 |
| SSG Landers | 63-58-4 | 13.0 | In tight race for 3–5 slots |
| Samsung Lions | 63-61-2 | 14.5 | Need strong September stretch |
| KT Wiz | 63-61-4 | 14.5 | Locked in battle for wild card spots |
| Lotte Giants | 62-61-6 | 15.0 | Facing direct rivals this week |
| NC Dinos | 57-59-6 | 16.5 | Still alive, 2.5 games out |
| Doosan Bears | — | — | Long shot |
| Kia Tigers | — | — | Fading from contention |
| Kiwoom Heroes | — | — | Mathematically eliminated |
Expanded Rosters & Schedule Crunch
- Roster size: Expands from 28 to 33 players for September, opening doors for Futures League prospects.
- Uneven games left: Giants and Heroes have as few as 17, while NC faces 24 due to earlier stadium issues.
- Rotation juggling: Frequent doubleheaders and irregular rest put pitching depth and bullpen stamina under the spotlight.
Head-to-Head Battles
- Giants: Face KT Wiz and SSG Landers in crucial series for 4th/5th slots.
- Lions: Begin a five-game stretch against Heroes and Eagles—vital for seeding.
- Twins: Magic number to clinch is down to 15 with 21 games remaining.
Postseason Format
- Top five teams qualify.
- 4th vs 5th: Wild card best-of-two (4th starts with a 1–0 lead).
- Winner meets 3rd in best-of-five.
- 2nd place enters best-of-five semi-final.
- Regular-season champ advances directly to Korean Series (best-of-seven).
What’s New in 2025
- Hanwha Eagles: Closing in on first playoff berth since 2018.
- LG Twins: Aiming to repeat their 2023 regular + Korean Series double after breaking a 29-year drought.
X-Factors
- Expanded rosters could create surprise breakout players in the final month.
- Head-to-head clashes carry extra weight—one rainout or slip could swing wild card math.
Bottom line: With playoff margins razor-thin and expanded rosters adding unpredictability, September KBO baseball is set to be as tense and entertaining as any stretch in recent memory.