KT Wiz at Kia Tigers Preview

GWANGJU, South Korea (Interstat) — The KT Wiz will look to extend their recent dominance over the Kia Tigers in a Saturday split doubleheader at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, with the first pitch scheduled for the afternoon and the nightcap following in the evening.

KT (20-9) enters with the best record in the league and has won four consecutive meetings against Kia, including a 4-3 victory Friday. The Wiz have been powered by a deep pitching staff and have taken seven of their last 10 games overall.

Kia (13-15-1) has lost four of its last six and sits below .500. The Tigers have struggled to slow down the Wiz, who have scored 26 runs in the last four head-to-head matchups.

The pitching rematch will be a key storyline.

Right-hander Ko Young-pyo is expected to start for KT after earning the win Friday against the Tigers. Ko struck out 12 over six innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs. He has been inconsistent this season (Interstat) — he surrendered seven earned runs in just four innings against NC on April 14 (Interstat) — but his strikeout rate remains elite. Over his last three starts, he has fanned 21 batters in 17 innings.

For Kia, left-hander Yang Hyeon-jong is likely to take the mound after taking the loss Friday. Yang lasted four innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs with five strikeouts. He has been effective at times (Interstat) — he held Lotte to one earned run over five innings on April 25 (Interstat) — but has also struggled with command, allowing eight hits and four earned runs in a loss to Doosan on April 19.

The Tigers have leaned on third baseman Kim Do-yeong, who drove in three runs Friday and is hitting well in the middle of the order.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is KT 5, Kia 2. Interstat’s ELO system gives KT a 53.70% probability to win. Despite the projections, Kia has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +1.5. The over/under is set at 9.0.

Following Saturday’s twin bill, the teams will meet again Sunday in the series finale. KT then returns home for a three-game set against Lotte beginning Tuesday. Kia will host Hanwha for a three-game series starting Tuesday.