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Steve Janik recommends betting picks for the KBO slate on 5/27/2020. He breaks down each team's roster and suggests the top picks on moneylines, totals, and runlines.
My post-Memorial Day hangover was lessened substantially thanks to a big broom sweep over the slate. KBO bullpens can be both a blessing and a curse and on Tuesday they were blessing. Doosan used a nice eighth inning five spot before giving up a run themselves in the ninth to which let the over hit. LG took care of business with Hanwha, while Lotte squeaked by Samsung with one run in the eighth inning.
- Tuesday, May 27: 3-0
- 2020 KBO Season: 32-12
It's been a pretty successful season on the gambling end too. I appreciate all of you that have taken an interest in reading as well as engaging with me on Twitter. Even when we aren't able to enjoy Major League Baseball right now, it's very encouraging to know that we can all rally around the KBO to give us some baseball and put a little money in our pocket.
Today, I'll be bringing you my KBO analysis, advice, and best bets for Wednesday, May 27th at 5:30 am EST. If you haven’t already, check out www.mykbostats.com; it’s is a fantastic one-stop-shop for us in America to get our KBO fix. You can also check out our KBO DFS lineup picks article after this one. Also, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @RotoStevieJ to talk shop or chew me out if a pick loses.
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Kia Tigers at KT Wiz (-186)
O/U: 9.5
Probable Pitchers
Kia: Ki-young Im (1-2, 3.38 ERA)
KT: Odrisamer Despaigne (1-0, 2.25 ERA)
The Kia Tigers cruised to a 4-1 win over the Wiz on Tuesday and their 7-3 record in their last 10 has them as one of the hottest teams in the KBO. They've been getting a nice blend of offense and pitching in that stretch, scoring around 6 runs per game, while surrendering just 3.5, which includes a series against Doosan. The top of the lineup, which includes Preston Tucker and Sun-bin Kim, and Hyung-woo Choi, has been on fire recently and they are the driving force behind the nice stretch.
Ki-young Im gets a fourth turn through the rotation and the 27-year-old has been impressive. While he's 1-2, he carries a 3.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 14/2 K/BB.His last two times out against Doosan and Lotte, he allowed just one run in each and he hasn't allowed more than five hits in any of his three starts.
The KT Wiz have hit a small road block, winning just one of their last five. However, the offense isn't to blame here, instead the rough pitching staff. Offensively, the Wiz have falling back just a bit but they're still hitting .311 with 62 extra-base hits and 120 runs scored, but keep in mind they're missing Baek-ho Kang.
Odrisamer Despaigne is gaining some traction around the KBO after his first four outings. He's just 1-0 but hasn't allowed more than three runs or six hits in any start. His 2 BB% is especially impressive, considering his last four MLB seasons, his BB% was on average 10.4. This hints at some regression, but KBO hitters are a bit more aggressive at the plate than MLB hitters.
I don't like either side here as both pitcher's are in good form right now and while Kia gets the offensive boost here, Despaigne is pitching tough right now. The Wiz's offense has been regressing a bit and I think Im can get to them. I'm targeting the under here with the thought that Despaigne can go deep into the game and keep the KT bullpen out of it.
Pick: Under 9.5
SK Wyverns at Doosan Bears (-205)
O/U: 11
Probable Pitchers
SK: Seung-won Moon (0-0, 5.62 ERA)
Doosan: Hee-kwan Yoo (1-1, 4.20 ERA)
The Wyverns gave Doosan quite a scare on Tuesday, leading 3-1 until a five-run outburst by Doosan closed the coffin on SK. They got a great starting pitching effort but the bullpen couldn't hold it down. Seung-won Moon will toe the rubber and has been just "okay" so far. He's been smacked around for 24 hits and 10 earned runs in just 16 innings, but has an 18/3 K/BB. He's got great command, but is around the plate a little too much, as evidenced by the 72 home runs he's allowed the last three seasons.
While SK's offensive numbers lack in just about every category, they've at least been competitive of late. Their .233 average, 637 OPS, and 65 runs scored are far-and-away the worst in the league, and now they're officially without their best hitter, Dong-min Han (leg), until at least July. This team is doomed.
The Bears will turn to innings-eater Hee-kwan Yoo on Wednesday. The southpaw has an interesting profile now that he's turned into a pitch-to-contact arm. He gets hit around the yard quite often (.377 BABIP so far) but does a solid job stranding runners at a 73.4 % clip. A matchup with SK might do him some good.
What's can't you say about the Bears lineup right now. While they did get goose-egged against Samsung on Sunday, they came back and put up an eighth inning five spot for a comeback win on Tuesday. They've scored 57 more runs than the Wyverns and have 25 more extra-base hits; quite simply this offense runs laps around SK.
Doosan is obviously the most popular team in gambling and DFS circles, and for good reason. With how home run prone Moon has been throughout his career, I think Doosan takes advantage of the 30-year-old early and puts quite a few runs on the board. I don't trust the Wyverns to be able to reciprocate though.
Pick: Doosan Team Total Over 6.5
Kiwoom Heroes at NC Dinos (-157)
O/U: 10.5
Probable Pitchers
Kiwoom: Hyun-hee Han (1-0, 5.62 ERA)
NC: Jae-hak Lee (1-0, 4.96 ERA)
Kiwoom has been pretty up-and-down en route to a 10-9 record. Coming into the season, many expected the offense to be the catalyst for whatever success they had. Things haven't gone exactly as planned, as they're batting just .253 with a .740 OPS but their 100 runs scored is the fourth most in the league. Of even more importance is their .319 average w/RISP, which is second-best. Five guys have 10-or-more RBI with Jung-hoo Lee leading the charge with 19. They've averaged just 5.5 runs over the last six games, so and I think that's about their floor when they're clicking.
Hyun-hee Han has moved back-and-forth between the bullpen and his rotation throughout his career which causes his numbers to be all over the place. The 26-year-old has made three starts in 2020 and struggled a bit, including his last outing against SK where he gave up five in five innings. A 1.69 WHIP is less than desirable.
After losing twice in three days, NC answered that by winning their next three, including yesterday's 7-2 win. The offense has obviously done their part, averaging six runs per game in the last 10 efforts. Aaron Altherr has been struggling a bit, but Tuesday's four RBI day was a nice boost. Eight Dinos have at least eight RBI and that includes Eui-ji Yang (neck) who is still day-to-day. Overall, they're hitting .288 with an .827 OPS.
The Dinos got another quality start from Chang-mo Koo on Tuesday. Now its Jae-hak Lee's turn and the 20-year-old will look to sure up some consistency. Sandwiched in between two starts where he allowed four runs is a six inning one-run outing against SK. He's a solid middle of the rotation arm who is going to provide some solid innings here and there, but is certainly prone to blowups, like his June start against Kiwoom last year where he allowed six runs in 5.2 innings.
Kiwoom is an even 5-5 on overs on the road, while NC has had just four overs hit at home. However, both of these offenses have striking potential against lesser pitching. Neither of these arms classify as top-end guys and I think both lineups will be able to put up some runs.
Pick: Over 10.5
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