Preview: Kiwoom Heroes at KT Wiz

SUWON-SI, South Korea (Interstat) — The KT Wiz will look to continue their dominance over the struggling Kiwoom Heroes when the teams meet again Saturday afternoon at Suwon Baseball Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. local time under cloudy skies with a temperature near 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius).

The Wiz (12-5) handily won the series opener 5-0 on Friday behind a masterful six-inning, seven-strikeout shutout performance from starter So Hyeong-jun. KT has won seven of its last 10 games and sits near the top of the Korea Baseball Organization standings.

Conversely, the Heroes (4-13) arrive mired in a deep slump, having lost 11 of their last 12 contests. Their offense has been particularly anemic, shut out in three of their last five games, including Friday’s loss.

A key matchup will feature the bullpens. A player to watch for Kiwoom is reliever Won Jong-hyan, who has not allowed an earned run in his last three appearances covering 3.0 innings, including a scoreless frame against KT on Friday.

For the Wiz, all eyes will be on So Hyeong-jun. The right-hander has been stellar in two of his last three starts, including Friday’s win over Kiwoom and a seven-inning, two-run effort against the Doosan Bears on April 11. His ability to control the Heroes’ lineup will be central to KT’s plans.

Statistical models heavily favor the home team. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-1 victory for the Wiz, while its ELO rating system gives KT a 72.20% probability to win.

Following Saturday’s contest, the teams will conclude the three-game series on Sunday in Suwon.