RADIO
The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) is saving not only baseball fans, but sports fans by returning to play during one of the weirdest times of my life. You know who they’re really saving? Sports bettors. Nothing against Belarusian soccer or eSports, but betting on a sport like baseball just hits different. Here’s something I never thought I’d say: the KBO has saved my sanity.
If you’re reading this, I’m sure you already have watched at least SOME of the first few KBO games. While we don’t know many players by name, it is still baseball and our sportsbooks are offering lines. Below I’ll be diving into the run lines, moneylines, and overs and unders for the each day's slate.
I won’t promise that I’m some expert on the KBO but once I knew they were playing, I’ve been spending my evenings doing research and trying to become acclimated with the teams, players, and any stats that I can get my hands on. 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.
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Hanwha Eagles at SK Wyverns (-190)
O/U: 9
Hanwha was one of the worst teams in the league last season and their first two games haven’t exactly jumped off the page. While they won on Opening Day, they’ve tallied just five runs through two games. Kwang-min Song clubbed a solo shot on Wednesday and has been the team’s hottest hitter. The Eagles need American Jared Hoying to step up and dig into the talent that hit 48 homers since 2018. Shi-hwan Jang is on the bump for Hanwha and that leaves some to be desired. In his first season as a starter in 2019, Jang went 6-13 with a 4.95 ERA over 125/1 innings.
SK is the opposite as an organization, as they lost in the “Playoff” round in 2019, which is the semifinals of the KBO. After getting shut out to open the season, the offense came alive on Wednesday off the bat of Dong-min Han, who hit two homers and drove in three of their five runs. They also house former career minor leaguer Jamie Romak who is 3-for-7 with two doubles to open the season and has 103 career KBO homers in three seasons. Starting pitcher Jong-hoon Park took a step back in 2019 despite a 3.88 ERA and his 3.9 BB/9 hints that control is an issue.
While Hanwha averaged just 4.2 runs per game last season, it’s the Wyverns that have potential to explode. The fire power in SK’s offense had a slow start but the good matchup should send this one over.
Pick: Over 9
NC Dinos (-166) at Samsung Lions
O/U: 8.5
The Dinos come in looking to sweep the season opening series against the Lions and are really setting themselves up for a big year. NC finished fifth last year despite leading the league with 128 homers and are looking for more, evidenced by landing several former major leaguers Aaron Altherr and Mike Wright, while already housing Drew Rucinski. Altherr went yard on Wednesday but they’re still looking for production from catcher Ui-ji Yang who hit 20 homers a season ago. Starter Chang-mo Koo really came into his own in 2019 going 10-7 with a 3.20 ERA, and now just 23 years old, he’s ready to take the next step in the KBO.
Samsung is a middle of the pack team who lost their best hitter from a season ago in Darin Ruf. They tried to replace him with Tyler Saladino, but the returning trio of Won-seok Lee, Ja-wook Koo, and Min-ho Kang will have to carry the offense, as they all hit double-digit long balls last year. However, the Lions wanted to improve their pitching staff so they sought the services of David Buchanan who had a two year cup-of-coffee with the Phillies. In 35 starts between 2014-15, he went 8-17 with a 5.01 ERA. His 5.4 SO/9 and 2.9 BB/9 are less than impressive but should fit right in with the rest of the KBO.
NC is my pick to win the KBO thanks to the offense they’ve assembled and I think they’ll be able to get to Buchanan on Thursday. Although the Lions are no slouch at the plate so don’t think Koo will be off the hook in his season debut.
Pick: Over 8.5
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