KBO betting continues as the 2020 Korean baseball season concludes its weekend series, highlighted by what should be a thrilling rubber match between the Kiwoom Heroes and Lotte Giants, but is the total too high?
We bring you picks for that game, and more, as we break down the KBO odds and bring you our best Korean baseball predictions for Sunday, August 16.
For more information on Korean baseball check out our KBO Betting Guide, and if you want to know who the favorite is to win this season's Korean Series, click here for the latest KBO title odds.
KBO Betting Odds
Here are the KBO odds for Sunday, August 16.
| Away Team | Odds | Home Team | Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KT Wiz | +129 | Doosan Bears | -152 | 10.5 |
| Samsung Lions | -130 | Hanwha Eagles | +111 | 8.5 |
| Kiwoom Heroes | -137 | Lotte Giants | +117 | 11 |
| LG Twins | -120 | NC Dinos | +102 | 11 |
| SK Wyverns | +147 | Kia Tigers | -174 | 9 |
KBO Picks
ESPN Game of the Day: LG Twins (47-36-1) vs NC Dinos (48-29-2)
Probable Pitchers: Min-ho Lee (3-2, 2.47 ERA) vs Sung-young Choi (2-1, 4.84 ERA)
The LG Twins are looking to make a huge statement as they go for a dominating series sweep against the first place NC Dinos.
The Twins have absolutely throttled the Dinos in the first two games of the series, outscoring them 23-8 in the process. And they’ll get a chance to keep rolling on Sunday as the Dinos hand the ball to Sung-young Choi.
Sung-young has been consistently mediocre all season for the Dinos, pitching to a 4.84 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP, and has recorded just two quality starts over his nine outings. The problem for the Dinos is that Sung-young only averages about 4 2-3 innings per start, then he hands the ball to the league’s worst bullpen.
The Twins counter with phenom Min-ho Lee. The 18-year-old right-hander has a 2.47 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP and also shut down the Dinos back on July 11, limiting them to two earned runs on four hits over 6 2-3 innings. And with the Dinos lineup still dealing with some significant injuries, the Twins have a real edge in this one.
Prediction: LG Twins (-120)
KT Wiz (41-38-1) vs Doosan Bears (46-35-2)
Probable Pitchers: Hyeong-jun So (6-5, 4.84 ERA) vs Hui-kwan Yu (7-6, 5.06 ERA)
The Bears bailed out our Over bet yesterday, thanks to Hae-sung Kuk blasting a pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the ninth to secure a 7-5 Doosan victory. While it was a little lucky, it isn’t out of the norm in the KBO, particularly give each team’s bullpen.
But we’re going to look somewhere else for the series finale. These teams have averaged 15.7 runs per game in their seven meetings, but if there’s a guy who can shut them down it’s Wiz rookie Hyeong-jun So.
The 18-year-old righty is dealing right now, posting a 1.46 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over his last four starts. On top of that, the big-hitting Bears haven’t intimidated him this season: in two starts against them, Hyeong-jun has limited them to two runs on seven hits over 12 innings.
With the Bears handing the ball to Hui-kwan Yu, with his 1.70 WHIP and .338 opponent batting average, there is great value with the Wiz to have the lead through five.
Prediction: KT Wiz -0.5 First 5 Innings (+151)
Kiwoom Heroes (51-35) vs Lotte Giants (40-37-1)
Probable Pitchers: Won-tae Choi (6-4, 5.09 ERA) vs Jun-won Seo (5-4, 4.84)
The series of the weekend has yet to disappoint and we are expecting another close game as the Heroes and Giants play their rubber match Sunday.
The Heroes responded to their Game 1 defeat by edging the Giants for a 3-1 victory Saturday. That was the Heroes' 13th win in their last 17 games, while the loss was just the fourth in the last 15 for the Giants.
The Heroes hand the ball to Won-tae Choi for the finale, and the right-hander has pitched better than his 5.06 ERA would tell you. Won-tae looks like he is rebounding from a mid-season slump and still owns a solid 1.33 WHIP this season.
The Giants counter with Jun-won Seo, who has had an up-and-down season and his games against the Heroes are a perfect example of that. Last time Hun-won faced Kiwoom, he allowed five runs on six hits in three innings, but he also has a start against them where he shut them out over 6 2-3 innings on just three hits.
This has been a well-played series between two hot teams and that should continue Sunday. This total is too high.
Prediction: Under 11 (-106)
KBO Betting Record: 128-104-5, +12.62 units
KBO Betting Card for Sunday, August 16
- LG Twins (-120)
- KT Wiz -0.5 First 5 Innings (+151)
- Kiwoom Heroes-Lotte Giants Under 11 (-106)
Where can I bet on Korean baseball odds?
While not every online and casino sportsbook will carry odds for the KBO League, many do, even with the MLB finally back in action. Check out the best sportsbooks available where you live and see what KBO odds they have available.
