LG Twins at Kia Tigers Preview

GWANGJU, South Korea (Interstat) — The LG Twins visit the Kia Tigers on Tuesday evening at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in a key Korea Baseball Organization matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures near 75 degrees.

LG (25-17) holds the better record but enters on an inconsistent stretch, having lost three of its last five games. The Twins most recently defeated the Shinsegae Landers 6-4 on Sunday, powered by first baseman Austin Dean, who went 2-for-3 with two home runs and four RBIs.

Dean has been streaky. Over his last 10 games, the slugger has four multi-hit performances and three home runs, including a three-hit, two-RBI game against the Hanwha Eagles on May 8. However, he has also endured multiple 0-for-3 or 0-for-4 outings in that span. The Twins will need his bat to remain hot against a Kia team that has split its last 10 contests.

Kia (21-21-1) leveled its record after pounding Samsung 16-7 on Sunday. Third baseman Kim Do-yeong was a standout, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Kim has been a steady contributor, collecting hits in seven of his last nine games, though he has just one home run in that stretch.

The Tigers have won two of three games in the season series against LG, all played in Seoul from March 31 to April 2. Kia took the opener 7-2 before the Twins answered with 7-2 and 2-1 victories to take the series.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-3 win for Kia, while the ELO system gives LG a 57.1% probability of victory. The Tigers open as pregame favorites with a spread of minus-1.5. The over/under is set at 8.5 runs.

Kia looks to build momentum after Sunday’s offensive explosion. LG aims to continue its recent head-to-head success and climb further above .500 ahead of a three-game series that continues Wednesday and Thursday at the same venue.