SEOUL (Interstat) — The LG Twins and Doosan Bears renew their rivalry Friday evening at Jamsil Stadium, with first pitch scheduled under clouds and 85-degree heat.

LG (55-42-2) enters with the league’s best record and a chance to extend its dominance over its Seoul rival. The Twins have won four of the past six meetings, including a three-game sweep at home June 19-21 in which they outscored Doosan 16-7.

Doosan (50-45-1) is fighting to close the gap in the standings. The Bears split their most recent series at Jamsil in April, taking a 10-inning win April 26 after losing the first two games of that set.

Players to watch

LG right fielder Song Chan-eui carries a hot bat into the series opener. Over his past seven games, Song is hitting .421 (8-for-19) with two home runs, including a go-ahead homer and three RBIs in Thursday’s 5-3 win over Kiwoom. He recorded multiple hits in four of those seven games.

Doosan counters with reliever Kim Taek-yeon, who has not allowed an earned run in his past seven appearances spanning 7⅔ innings. He scattered one hit and struck out nine over that stretch, picking up wins Thursday and Sunday. Kim has been used primarily in high-leverage spots and throws strikes with efficiency.

Recent trends

LG won its most recent game 5-3 on Thursday behind Song’s bat and six solid innings from starter Im Chan-kyu. The Twins have alternated wins and losses over their past five games, and their offense has been inconsistent (Interstat) — plating 15 runs in a win July 25 but scoring four or fewer in five of the previous seven.

Doosan won 5-3 on Thursday at Shinsegae, with Kim Taek-yeon, Kim Jeong-woo and Lee Young-ha combining for 3⅓ scoreless innings of relief. The Bears have won four of their past six and are getting strong bullpen work (Interstat) — their relievers have allowed one earned run over the past 13⅔ innings.

Projections

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Doosan victory, but the ELO system gives LG a 55.2 percent probability to win. The series continues Saturday and Sunday at Jamsil before both teams hit the road Tuesday.