GWANGJU, South Korea (Interstat) — The Shinsegae Landers and Kia Tigers, both sporting identical 22-22-1 records, open a three-game series Friday night at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. under cloudy skies, with a game-time temperature of 61 degrees.

The Landers are coming off a 6-0 loss Thursday at Kiwoom, their fourth defeat in five games. Shinsegae has dropped 10 of its last 15 contests. Right-hander Ginjiro Hiramoto (0-3) will make his fourth start of the season. He has lost all three previous outings, compiling a 9.00 ERA over 12 innings while striking out 15.

Kia dropped a 5-3 decision to LG on Thursday, snapping a four-game winning streak. The Tigers are 8-2 in their last 10 games. First baseman Park Sang-jun enters the series swinging a hot bat. Over his last 10 games dating to May 8, Park is batting .407 (11-for-27) with two home runs and five RBIs, including a multi-hit effort Wednesday against LG.

The teams met twice in late March, with Shinsegae sweeping a two-game set in Seoul — winning 7-6 and 11-6.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-2 Kia victory, and the ELO model gives the Tigers a 53.7% win probability.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday. Shinsegae then returns home for three games against Samsung, while Kia travels to face Kiwoom.