KBO PREVIEW: LOTTE AT KT

SUWON, South Korea (Interstat) — The Lotte Giants and KT Wiz open a three-game series Friday night at Suwon Baseball Stadium, with rain in the forecast.

Lotte (34-43-2) enters on a two-game skid after an 8-3 loss Thursday at Doosan. KT (44-33-2) was routed 14-3 at Hanwha on Thursday, snapping a two-game win streak.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. local time under a forecast of 77 degrees and rain.

The Giants have struggled to find consistency. They have lost four of their past five games, with the lone win a 5-2, 10-inning decision at Doosan on Wednesday. Lotte’s offense has been hit-or-miss, scoring two or fewer runs in three of the past five games.

KT has been one of the KBO’s stronger teams this season, but the Wiz are coming off their worst loss of the year. The 14-3 defeat at Hanwha included a 10-run inning by the Eagles. Prior to that, KT had won two straight.

The teams split four meetings earlier this season. Lotte won the most recent matchup 8-1 on May 6. KT took the preceding game 5-4 on May 5. The series is tied 2-2.

Players to watch

Lotte outfielder Víctor Reyes has been the Giants’ most productive hitter recently. In Thursday’s loss at Doosan, Reyes went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. Over his past five games, Reyes is batting .350 (7 for 20) with two home runs and five RBIs. He has hit safely in seven of his past nine games.

KT right-hander Bae Je-seong has been a reliable arm. In Thursday’s blowout loss at Hanwha, Bae allowed two earned runs over five innings, striking out five. In his past four starts, Bae has a 2.89 ERA with 19 strikeouts over 18 2/3 innings. He has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of those outings.

Projections

The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-3 Lotte victory. The Interstat ELO system gives KT a 61.3% probability to win.

Up next

The teams will meet again Saturday and Sunday at Suwon Baseball Stadium to close the series. Lotte then returns home for a three-game set against the Kia Tigers starting Tuesday. KT hosts the Kiwoom Heroes for a three-game series beginning Tuesday.