Bears at Tigers Preview

GWANGJU, South Korea (Interstat) — The Kia Tigers host the Doosan Bears on Sunday afternoon in a key Korea Baseball Organization series finale at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.

First pitch is set for the afternoon game with a forecast of 77 degrees and rain.

Kia (34-30-2) holds a 2½-game advantage over Doosan (32-31-2) in the standings.

The pitching matchup features a rematch of Saturday’s contest. Doosan left-hander Wes Benjamin (2-3) takes the mound against Kia right-hander James Naile (4-2). Benjamin allowed two earned runs over six innings in a 2-1 loss to Kia on Saturday. He has struggled recently, allowing four earned runs in three innings against Kiwoom on June 7, but tossed 6⅓ scoreless innings in a win over Hanwha on June 2. Naile earned the win Saturday, allowing one earned run over six innings. He has won four consecutive starts, including a six-inning, three-hit shutout performance against Lotte on June 2.

Saturday’s 2-1 Kia victory evened the current four-game series at one win apiece. Doosan won the opener 4-2 on Friday. The teams have split their eight meetings this season, with the home side winning seven of those contests.

The Bears are coming off a 1-2 road trip to Lotte before arriving in Gwangju. Doosan dropped two of three in Busan, scoring one run in a 3-1 loss on June 10 before rebounding with a 12-7 victory on June 11.

Kia returns home after a 2-2 road trip to Hanwha that included a 5-1 loss on June 11.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 Doosan victory, but the ELO system gives Kia a 56.6% probability to win.

Following Sunday’s game, both teams begin homestands Tuesday. Doosan hosts KT Wiz for three games, while Kia welcomes LG Twins for three. The clubs meet again June 26-28 in Seoul.