KBO Picks & Odds (October 21): NC’s Magic Number Down to 2

•  The NC Dinos’ magic number to lock up first place is down to 2
•  Lotte’s Kyung Eun Noh has allowed 9 runs in just 6.1 innings vs SK this season
• Find odds and best bets for the KBO’s five-game slate on October 21st in the article below

NC has been hands down the best team in the KBO this season, so it’s only fitting that they lock down first place early. After a 13-3 thrashing of KIA on Tuesday, the Dinos magic number to claim the regular season title now sits at 2. Another win versus the Tigers on Wednesday, at 5:30 am EST, would set them up to clinch on Thursday, but it’s not their moneyline that is most appealing in the betting market.

 KBO Odds: Wednesday, October 21st

Odds as of  Oct. 20th at FanDuel.

At first glance, the total is much more intriguing as both NC and KIA will send struggling arms to the mound. The Dinos will give the ball to Min Hyuk Shin, while the Tigers’ Ki Young Im will be tasked with trying to slow down the mighty NC bats.

Dino-Mite at the Dish

The Dinos smashed 18 hits on Tuesday and chased KIA starter Hyun Shik Jang after just 1.2 innings. We predicted Jang would struggle, and boy did he ever allowing seven runs, and seven of the 12 batters he faced to reach base.

#NCDinos scoring like pic.twitter.com/ajp37zDlvP

— larry 🦕 #MVFREE (@ForTheAyyy) October 20, 2020

NC runs into another favorable matchup versus Im, who’s allowed at least three runs in each of his past five outings, despite not making it out of the 6th inning in any of those starts. The 27-year-old has recorded a quality start in just 21.7% of his outings this season, and has a 6.75 ERA against the Dinos in three appearances in 2020.

Shin meanwhile, has pitched well recently, but it’s all been in a relief role. The 21-year-old is 2-3 as a starter this season, surrendering 21 runs in only 25 innings. The last time he faced the Tigers he lasted just 2 innings, giving up five hits and three runs in an 11-3 defeat.

Pick: Over 10.5 (-132)

SK Finds Success Against Noh

Elsewhere in the KBO on Wednesday, SK will look to snap a three-game losing streak when they face Lotte. The Wyverns were pummelled by Samsung 12-2 on Tuesday, but find themselves in a prime bounce back spot. That’s because they’ll square off with Kyung Eun Noh, a pitcher they’ve absolutely dominated this season.

Noh Kyung-eun may have given up 8 runs in 4.1 IP (bad), but threw this crazy 63 mph knuckleball that had Park Dong-won all turned around for a strikeout. Even Park couldn't believe it afterward #KBO #KBOLeague pic.twitter.com/TNAM9ELBbh

— Ben Howell (he/him) (@benhowell71) August 27, 2020

SK has pounded Noh in three separate outings, touching him up for nine runs in just over 6 innings. The 36-year-old has dropped six of his past seven decisions, and has made it past the 5th inning in only two of his last seven starts.

The Wyverns will counter with Jong Hoon Park, who was brilliant in his last outing versus Samsung. He held the Lions to four hits and one earned run over 6 innings, marking the third time in four starts he’s allowed just a single run.

KBO thing I love: pitchers like this get to be starters over there. Jong-hoon Park slinging low slot filth scoreless into the 4th for SK Wyverns so far. pic.twitter.com/Za5kGhvDAY

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) May 7, 2020

We’ve said it many times before but it bears repeating, the Giants offense is not one to fear. Lotte managed just one run and five hits on Tuesday versus Doosan, and has averaged just two runs per game in its last three meetings with SK.

Pick: SK Wyverns moneyline (-104)