KIA vs. DOOSAN PREVIEW

GWANGJU, South Korea (Interstat) — The Doosan Bears and Kia Tigers meet Thursday evening at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, with both teams locked at 18-20 in the standings but separated by a single tie.

Doosan (18-20-1) sends a lineup led by second baseman Park Jun-soon, who has homered in three of his past four games. Park went 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI in Wednesday’s 9-2 loss to the Tigers, and 1-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs in Tuesday’s 5-1 win at Kia.

Kia (18-20-2) counters with veteran left-hander Yang Hyeon-jong, who earned the win Wednesday with five innings of three-hit, two-run ball while striking out four. Yang has a 2-2 record over his past five starts, allowing two earned runs or fewer in three of those outings.

The Bears took the series opener Tuesday before the Tigers answered with a decisive victory Wednesday. In the past five head-to-head meetings, Doosan holds a 3-2 edge.

Thursday’s forecast calls for clear skies and 69 degrees at first pitch.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-3 Doosan victory, while the ELO system gives Kia a 55.2 percent probability of winning.

Doosan opens a homestand Friday against the Lotte Giants. Kia travels to face the Samsung Lions on Friday.