KBO Picks & Odds (August 22): The Dinos are Done Messing Around

•  First place NC has racked up 24 runs in its last two outings
•  SK’s Ricardo Pinto has allowed 25 runs in his last four starts
• Find odds and best bets for the KBO’s five-game slate on August 22nd in the article below

At one point during the KBO season the NC Dinos were so far ahead of the pack that it looked like they might clinch top spot by the end of August. However, they took their foot of the gas in the middle of July, and after a 9-12-1 stretch their once insurmountable lead atop the standings was down to a half-game.

"I think I got my swagger back"@NCdinos_fan | #KBO pic.twitter.com/IbGb7zSDva

— taewoongi (태웅) (@taewoongii) August 20, 2020

That seemed to be the wakeup call the club needed, because since then they’ve posted three wins in their last four outings, outscoring their opponents by 21 runs. They’re fresh off a two-game sweep of KIA, and will look to keep the momentum rolling Saturday at 5:00 am EST against KT Wiz.

 KBO Odds: Saturday, August 22nd

Odds as of Aug. 21st.

Can’t Fade the Dinos at Plus Money

We ranted on Friday about not passing up on the Dinos at plus money and we were handsomely rewarded. The same logic applies on Saturday, as once again NC is an underdog. They’ll face Hyeong Jun So, who’s been brilliant recently, holding the opposition to just one run over his last three starts.

So Hyeong-jun, Nasty Changeup getting a Taz🌪️ swing. pic.twitter.com/6blUFoqsKP

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 9, 2020

Now it needs to be mentioned that two of those starts were against light-hitting SK, but So did hold his own against the Dinos earlier this season. A little over a month ago, he held them to two runs over six innings, but that was NC’s first look at the rookie. I’m betting that the second time around will be a different story, especially given how well the Dinos are swinging the bats.

Man it's good to see fans 🤩

Na Sung-BOOM 💥💥💥 2-Run HR!#NCDinos | #KBO pic.twitter.com/conxoJ2p1z

— taewoongi (태웅) (@taewoongii) August 18, 2020

NC has scored 24 runs in its last two games, belting 31 hits along the way. They lead the league in home runs and hits per game, and average 6.28 runs on the road this season.

Pick: NC Dinos moneyline (+104)

Pinto Keeps Imploding

At this point it’s kind of hard to believe that Ricardo Pinto still has a starting job in the SK rotation. The 26-year-old has been shelled in six straight starts, and is fresh off surrendering eight runs and 11 hits to KIA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZXJnkrjrW4

One of those awful outings was against Saturday’s opponent Doosan, and it wasn’t pretty. Pinto gave up nine hits and five runs in 5 innings, while failing to record a strikeout. His ERA has ballooned to 6.18 and his WHIP is now approaching 2.00 (currently 1.95).

The Bears meanwhile, are 6-3 versus the Wyverns this season and have averaged eight runs in those victories. They’ll give the ball to Min Gyu Kim for his first career start, meaning the bullpen is likely going to see a lot of action. That actually increases SK’s chances of putting up runs since Doosan relievers currently sport a 5.27 ERA this season.

The combination of a heavy bullpen game for the Bears and a struggling Pinto on the other side has me leaning Doosan, plus the over.

Picks: Doosan Bears moneyline (-154), Over 11.5 (-112)