Rain Expected as Dinos, Lions Open Series in Daegu

DAEGU, South Korea (Interstat) — The NC Dinos and Samsung Lions open a three-game series Friday night at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, with wet weather forecast for the 6:30 p.m. first pitch.

The Dinos (6-4) enter after a narrow 5-4 loss to the LG Twins on Wednesday, despite a strong start from right-hander Shin Min-hyeok. The Lions (5-4-1) are looking to rebound from a 15-5 road defeat against the Kia Tigers the same day.

Forecasts call for temperatures around 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) and rain, which could impact play and the pitching strategies for both clubs.

A player to watch for NC is Shin Min-hyeok, who has been effective in his last two outings. On April 8, he pitched five scoreless innings with four strikeouts in a no-decision against LG. On April 1, he earned a win over Lotte, allowing two earned runs over five innings.

For Samsung, reliever Im Gi-yeong will be a key figure. He logged 2 2/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in Wednesday’s loss to Kia after pitching a scoreless frame in a win on April 7.

Offensively, NC’s Seo Ho-cheol homered and drove in two runs in the recent loss to LG. Samsung’s veteran designated hitter Choi Hyoung-woo hit a two-run homer in the same game.

Despite Interstat’s ELO system giving Samsung a 56.4% probability to win, the same service’s game simulator projects a 5-4 victory for the visiting Dinos. NC has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The over/under is set at 9.5 runs.

Following this series, the Dinos will host the KT Wiz for three games beginning Tuesday. The Lions will hit the road for a three-game set against the Hanwha Eagles starting the same day.