Preview: NC Dinos at KT Wiz

SUWON, South Korea (Interstat) — The KT Wiz host the NC Dinos on Saturday afternoon at Suwon Baseball Stadium, with first pitch set for 2 p.m. under clear skies and 76-degree temperatures.

KT (37-25-1) holds a 58.1 percent win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, though the game simulator projects a 5-4 victory for NC (28-33-1). The Wiz have dominated the season series, winning five of seven meetings, including a 3-2 victory Friday in the opener of this three-game set.

Right-hander Curtis Taylor will start for the Dinos. He pitched 7 2/3 innings in Friday’s loss, allowing five hits and no earned runs while striking out eight – a strong outing despite the defeat. Over his past four starts, Taylor has a 2-2 record with a 3.04 ERA, including eight strikeouts in five innings against the LG Twins on June 6.

KT counters with left-hander Bae Je-seong, who earned the win Friday by allowing two earned runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings with six strikeouts. Bae has been inconsistent this season; he lasted only three innings in a May 24 loss to the Dinos, surrendering four runs. However, he bounced back June 6 against the Shinsegae Landers, throwing five shutout innings.

NC enters after splitting a three-game series at Kiwoom. The Dinos won 3-2 on Thursday and 4-2 on Wednesday before losing 7-6 on Tuesday. Over their last 10 games, NC is 6-4. KT is 4-6 in its last 10, including a series loss to the Samsung Lions earlier this week.

The Dinos’ offense has been led recently by third baseman Seo Ho-cheol, who went 2-for-4 on Friday. NC’s bullpen struggled in that game, with Kim Jin-ho allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth.

KT’s relief corps was sharp Friday: Jeon Yong-ju pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts, and Park Yeong-hyun closed with a perfect ninth, striking out two.

Saturday’s game is the second of a three-game series. The teams meet again Sunday, then NC hosts Hanwha on Tuesday while KT travels to Doosan.