AP Sports Preview: KT Wiz at Hanwha Eagles

DAEJEON, South Korea (Interstat) — The KT Wiz visit the Hanwha Eagles on Thursday evening at Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium, with first pitch scheduled under cloudy skies and a temperature of 72 degrees.

KT (44-32-1) holds a five-game lead over Hanwha (37-38-2) in the KBO standings, but the Eagles have been competitive in this season series despite being outscored 56-42 over seven meetings. KT has won five of those seven matchups, including a 7-4 victory Wednesday in the opener of this two-game set.

Wednesday’s win featured a strong start from right-hander So Hyeong-jun, who allowed one earned run over six innings while striking out four. So, who is expected to be available in relief Thursday after throwing 86 pitches, has been steady over his last three outings, posting a 2.40 ERA across 15 innings with nine strikeouts.

For Hanwha, designated hitter Kang Baek-ho has been the lineup’s most dangerous bat. Despite the loss Wednesday, Kang went 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs. Over his last nine games, he has homered four times and driven in 10 runs, though he has also gone hitless in five of those contests, illustrating his streaky nature.

The Eagles have won four of their last six overall, but they struggled against KT in April, losing three straight by a combined 36-23. Hanwha has fared better at home, and Thursday’s matchup presents a chance to split the brief series before both clubs enter a busy stretch.

KT begins a three-game home series against the Lotte Giants on Friday, while Hanwha travels to face the LG Twins.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-3 Hanwha victory, and the ELO system gives the Eagles a 51.70 percent probability to win, making this a near coin-flip contest between two clubs trending in different directions.