KBO Picks & Odds (August 21): For Whom the Bell Tolls

• Hanwha’s Chad Bell is 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA vs KT Wiz this season
• NC pounded KIA pitching for 21 hits and 14 runs on Thursday
• Find odds and best bets for the KBO’s five-game slate on August 21st in the article below

The KT Wiz Suwon and Hanwha Eagles are two teams going in very different directions. KT Wiz has won four straight vaulting them past KIA into fifth place in the KBO standings, while Hanwha is still toiling in the basement, stuck in the midst of yet another losing streak.

 KBO Odds: Friday, August 21st

Odds as of Aug. 20th.

The Suwon took the series opener 3-0 on Thursday, and will be looking to complete the two-game sweep on Friday when the two teams meet at 5:30 am EST.

KT Wiz Crushes Bell

Left-hander Chad Bell will get the ball for the Eagles, still searching for his first win of the season. The 31-year-old actually pitched very well last time out versus Samsung, but the prior start was a different story.

Chad Bell vs KT Wiz This Season

Bell surrendered five runs in just 3 innings of work against KT Wiz, en route to a 6-3 defeat. He also faced them earlier in the season and the result was almost identical. He allowed five runs, this time over 5 innings, in an 8-4 loss. He’s failed to record a quality start in 10 of 11 outings this season, and his 7.01 ERA is one of the worst among starters in the league.

The Suwon meanwhile, have outscored their opponents by 11 runs over their four-game winning streak, claiming victory by at least two runs in each outing. They’ll turn to Min Soo Kim, who’s winless in his last four starts, but did hold second place Kiwoom and fourth place Doosan to a combined five runs over his last two appearances.

Hanwha’s offense has been its typical putrid self lately, scoring three or fewer runs in seven of its past eight. They’ve been outscored by 43 runs over that stretch, winning just once.

Pick: KT Wiz -1.5 (+100)

Back the Best at Plus Money

It’s extremely rare that first place NC is listed as the betting underdog, especially when they are not facing an elite pitcher. But that’s the case on Friday, and I don’t see any reason not to pounce on the value.

Dino Demoliton. Much needed win, and hopefully more to come! #KBO pic.twitter.com/jqsTXKTYHe

— Daniel Greiss (@daniel_greiss) August 20, 2020

The Dinos destroyed the KIA Tigers 14-2 in the series opener, pounding 21 hits against Drew Gagnon and a collection of relievers. Now they’ll face Ki Young Im, who they just roughed up last week.

NC 8-1 KIA (20.8.9, 광주-기아 챔피언스 필드)

✔승: 최성영
✔결승타: 양의지(1회 2사 2루서 좌월 홈런)#ncdinos #NCvsKIA #STRONGER_TOGETHER pic.twitter.com/t6Y2sgGSRQ

— NC 다이노스 (@NCdinos_fan) August 9, 2020

That day they smacked six hits and crossed the plate six times in just 2.1 innings versus Im, en route to an 8-1 victory. That was Im’s worst outing this season, but the prior two starts weren’t gems either. He gave up five runs to Lotte in 5 innings on August 1st, and surrendered four runs in 5.1 innings on July 26th to Samsung. He’s given up at least four runs in four of his last five appearances, and has walked more batters than he’s struck out over his last three starts.

NC will counter with 20-year-old prospect Myung Gi Song, who they drafted last year in the first round. Song has worked exclusively as a reliever this season, and held KIA to a single hit over 2 scoreless innings in his only appearance against them. He’s posted an impressive 28 strikeouts over 26.2 innings this season, and has held opposing batters to just six extra-base hits.

Pick: NC Dinos moneyline (+102)