AP Sports Preview: Kia Tigers at Lotte Giants

BUSAN, South Korea (Interstat) — The Kia Tigers visit the Lotte Giants on Friday evening at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, with first pitch scheduled under cloudy skies and a game-time temperature of 66 degrees.

Kia (15-18-1 overall) enters the matchup after a 11-8 loss to the Hanwha Eagles on Thursday, dropping its second straight game. The Tigers have struggled for consistency, winning only three of their last eight contests. Lotte (13-18) comes in with momentum after an 8-1 win at KT Wiz on Wednesday, its third victory in four games.

Outfielder Han Seung-yeon is a player to watch for Kia. He went 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI in Thursday’s loss and is 3-for-8 with two RBIs in his last four games. The Tigers’ bullpen showed signs of life Thursday, with relievers Cho Sang-woo (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K) and Lee Hyeong-beom (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 K) turning in scoreless work.

Right-hander Jeremy Beasley is the featured arm for Lotte. He earned the win Wednesday against KT Wiz, tossing 6.0 innings, allowing three hits and no earned runs while striking out six. Over his last three starts, Beasley has a 1.42 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 19.0 innings.

The teams split a three-game series in late April at Kia, with the Tigers winning 4-3 and 4-0 on consecutive days before a 5-5 tie in 11 innings in the finale. The Giants have not defeated the Tigers this season, going 0-2-1 in the head-to-head.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-3 victory for Lotte. The Giants are installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of plus-1.5. The over-under is set at 10.5 runs. Interstat’s ELO system gives Kia a 52.60 percent probability to win.

The Tigers continue their road trip Saturday and Sunday with two more games in Busan before returning home to face the Doosan Bears on Tuesday. Lotte remains at home through Sunday before hosting the NC Dinos on Tuesday.