KBO Odds and Best Bets for May 12: Unbeaten Giants vs. Reigning Champion Bears Highlights Matchups

• After Monday’s off day, the Korea Baseball Organization is back in action Tuesday
• The Lotte Giants are the only unbeaten team left, with an intriguing matchup against the reigning champions
• Check out the odds and best bets for Tuesday’s games, below

It’s a new week, and a new series begins for each team in the Korea Baseball Organization. One matchup sticks out above the rest, with the final unbeaten team (Lotte Giants, 5-0) facing the reigning KBO champs (Doosan Bears).

There are other storylines worth following as well, as teams begin to move through their starting rotations for a second time.

After Monday’s off day, here’s a look at the five-game slate for Tuesday, when all games are set to begin at 5:30 AM ET (2:30am PT).

KBO Odds: Tuesday, May 12

Odds taken May 11.

Giants Take On The Champs

The Lotte Giants are the surprise of the KBO at this early juncture of the 2020 season, having burst out to a 5-0 record after finishing dead last in the 10-team league a season ago.

The Doosan Bears, meanwhile, are off to a mediocre 3-2 start after winning their third KBO title in the past five seasons in 2019. Now, these teams face off for the first time this season — in what is certainly this week’s top matchup.

Doosan has the hottest hitter (Jose Fernandez, who’s slashing .591/.591/.864) and the hottest hitting team (KBO-best .309 batting average). But Lotte is not far behind, with a .295 batting average (third in KBO) and a league-best 3.13 ERA.

Dixon Machado. Learn the name, KBO MVP ?? ? pic.twitter.com/HbI6o6JgSy

— Adam (롯데 자이언츠 팬 ??) (@AdamBayBoyy) May 10, 2020

A boon for the Giants is that they’ll send lefty Won-sam Jang to the mound. Seven of Doosan’s regulars bat left-handed, which means they’ll be at a disadvantage.

This game (and series) should feature lots of runs. For now, side with the team that’s on the hot streak.

Pick: Lotte Giants, +1.5 (-120); Over 9.5 (-125)

KT Needs Pitching To Step Up

KT Wiz Suwon (1-4) is tied for last in the league thanks mostly to its horrendous 7.19 team ERA. But on Tuesday, they’ll start right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne, who should give them a chance to win.

8vo ponche de Odrisamer Despaigne que va consolidando una apertura dominante en su debut en Korea. pic.twitter.com/3RvuJiDXYz

— Francys Romero (@francysromero10) May 5, 2020

Despaigne, a six-year MLB vet, allowed one run in six innings last week in his KBO debut. Then his bullpen allowed six more runs in a 7-2 loss to Lotte. Now he faces the NC Dinos, who just snapped a four-game winning streak with a 10-8 loss to the LG Twins.

If Despaigne gets some help — and from an offense that’s batting .301, he should — this is a game Suwon can win.

Pick: KT Wiz Suwon, +1.5 (-155)

So Close, Yet So Far

All four of the Hanwha Eagles’ losses have come by three runs or fewer. And their past 11 losses (dating back to last season) have all come by four runs or fewer.

Something has to break their way soon, right? Tuesday’s test won’t be easy, as the KIA Tigers send Aaron Brooks to the mound (5.2 innings, one run allowed in his first start). But the runline for the underdog Eagles is at a reasonable -140, which bettors should feel comfortable with.

Pick: Hanwha Eagles, +1.5 (-140); Under 8.5 (+100)