Preview: Kiwoom Heroes at Doosan Bears

SEOUL, South Korea (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to reverse early-season struggles will meet Wednesday when the Kiwoom Heroes visit the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium.

The evening game, forecast for clear skies and 51-degree temperatures, features clubs at the bottom of the Korea Baseball Organization standings. The visiting Heroes (3-6) have lost six of their last eight. The home Bears (2-6) have dropped six of seven.

Kiwoom took the series opener 5-2 on Tuesday. The Heroes will look for a repeat strong pitching performance, with right-hander Bae Dong-hyun emerging as a key figure. Over his last two starts, including Tuesday’s win over these same Bears, Bae has allowed two earned runs over 10 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts.

Doosan will counter with right-hander Choi Seung-yong, who was effective in a losing effort Tuesday. He held the Heroes to one run on three hits over five innings, striking out five.

Both lineups have struggled for consistency. The Bears were shut out 6-0 by the NC Dinos on March 28 and managed just two runs Tuesday. The Heroes have been held to one run twice already this season.

According to Interstat, the Bears are projected favorites with a 61% probability to win. The service’s game simulator predicts a 3-1 Doosan victory.

The game is the second of a quick two-game set. The teams do not meet again until May.