AP Sports Preview: Kia Tigers vs. Shinsegae Landers

GWANGJU, South Korea (Interstat) — The Kia Tigers look to complete a weekend sweep of the Shinsegae Landers on Sunday evening at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. under cloudy skies with a temperature of 75 degrees.

Kia (24-22-1) has won the first two games of this three-game set, including a 5-4 victory Saturday. The Tigers hold a two-game lead over the Landers (22-24-1) in the KBO League standings.

Left-hander Yang Hyeon-jong is expected to start for Kia. In his most recent outing, Yang earned the win Saturday against these same Landers, allowing three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts over five innings. The veteran has been inconsistent this month, posting a 2-2 record over his last four starts while surrendering at least two earned runs in each outing.

Right-hander Kim Keon-woo is slated to take the mound for Shinsegae. Kim turned in a sharp performance Saturday, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out six and allowing four hits. He has been Shinsegae’s most reliable starter of late, winning three of his last four decisions despite an elevated ERA.

The Landers enter Sunday’s game in a difficult stretch, having lost seven of their last 10 contests. Their bullpen has been a concern, particularly in close games. Shinsegae has dropped one-run decisions in each of the last two days.

Kia, meanwhile, has won four of its last five games. The Tigers’ offense has produced timely hits, including Saturday’s game-winner in the late innings.

In the season series, the teams have split four meetings. Kia won both games this weekend after dropping two of three in Seoul in late March.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-2 Kia victory, giving the Tigers a 55.2 percent win probability.

After Sunday’s contest, Shinsegae returns home for a three-game series against Samsung. Kia travels to face Kiwoom for a three-game set beginning Tuesday.