Hot NC Dinos Aim for Sweep of Struggling Kia Tigers

GWANGJU, South Korea (Interstat) — The surging NC Dinos will look to complete a three-game sweep and extend their winning streak to six when they face the reeling Kia Tigers on Sunday afternoon at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. local time under cloudy skies with temperatures around 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

The Dinos (6-1) have dominated the early series, outscoring the Tigers 11-2 in the first two contests, including a 6-0 shutout on Saturday. NC’s offense has been potent, but the story has been its pitching, which has stifled Kia’s lineup.

A key performer for NC has been right-hander Curtis Taylor. In Saturday’s win, Taylor delivered five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out four. Over his last two starts, spanning 10 innings, he has a 1.80 ERA with 10 strikeouts.

Conversely, the Kia Tigers (1-6) are mired in a five-game skid and have mustered only two runs in this series. Their bullpen has been heavily taxed, with reliever Lee Tae-yang appearing in both losses, though he did not allow an earned run in two innings of work on Friday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects an 8-2 victory for the Dinos, while its ELO rating system gives NC a 51.2% probability to win.

The Tigers’ anemic offense faces a steep challenge to avoid the sweep. Through seven games, Kia has been outscored 45-30. The Dinos, meanwhile, have scored at least five runs in five of their seven contests, with shortstop Kim Ju-won providing a power threat after hitting a home run in Saturday’s victory.

Following the series, NC returns home to Changwon to begin a three-game set with the LG Twins on Tuesday. The Tigers will remain in Gwangju to host the Samsung Lions, also beginning Tuesday.