AP Sports Preview: KT Wiz at Shinsegae Landers

INCHEON, South Korea (Interstat) — The top two teams in the league standings square off Sunday afternoon as the Shinsegae Landers host the KT Wiz at Munhak Baseball Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. under clear skies with a temperature of 76 degrees.

KT (16-8) enters with the best record in the league, one game ahead of Shinsegae (15-8). The Landers, however, have taken the first two games of this weekend series, winning 3-1 on Saturday and 5-0 on Friday.

Sunday’s projected pitching matchup features a rematch of Saturday’s starters. Right-hander Ko Young-pyo (1-2, 4.97 ERA) will take the mound for the Wiz after absorbing the loss in the series opener. Over five innings Saturday, Ko allowed two earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts. In his last four outings, Ko has surrendered 12 earned runs across 20 innings for a 5.40 ERA. He has not won since defeating the Lotte Giants on April 7.

For Shinsegae, right-hander Takeda Shota (1-3, 6.14 ERA) will start after earning the victory Saturday. Takeda worked five scoreless innings, scattering three hits and striking out six. Takeda’s season has been uneven, however. In his three outings prior to Saturday, he allowed 14 earned runs in 9 2/3 innings across three consecutive losses.

Shinsegae third baseman Choi Jeong went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in Saturday’s win and is a key bat in the middle of the lineup. For KT, right fielder Choi Won-jun hit a solo home run Saturday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 KT victory, but Interstat’s ELO system gives Shinsegae a 50.7 percent probability of winning.

The Wiz will look to avoid a three-game sweep before heading home to face the LG Twins on Tuesday. Shinsegae travels to Hanwha on Tuesday.