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KBO Picks & Odds (August 5): The Bears Tame the Lions

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in News

Updated Aug 4, 2020 · 1:06 PM PDT

We look at the odds and best bets for all the KBO games on Wednesday, August 5th here. Find out why the stats of Samsung starter Chae Heung Choi are a bit misleading.
  • Samsung’s Chae Heung Choi’s stats are inflated due to an abundance of soft opponents
  • Choi has allowed 14 runs in two starts against top-3 offenses, and faces a difficult matchup vs Doosan
  • Find odds and best bets for the KBO’s five-game slate on August 5th in the article below

The KBO season rolls on with five more games on Wednesday at 5:30 am EST, we hope. Weather has caused the cancellation of 12 games over the last eight days, and the forecast looks a little dicey again on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, let’s remain hopeful that each contest will be played, and the first matchup we’ll look to target is between Samsung and Doosan.

 KBO Odds: Wednesday, August 5th

Team Moneyline Runline Over/Under Run Total Game Time (Eastern)
Samsung Lions +155 +1.5 (-120) Over 9.5 (-118) 5:30 a.m.
Doosan Bears -185 -1.5 (-110) Under 9.5 (-112)
Team Moneyline Runline Over/Under Run Total Game Time (Eastern)
NC Dinos -240 -1.5 (-165) Over 10.5 (-115) 5:30 a.m.
Hanwha Eagles +190 +1.5 (+135) Under 10.5 (-115)
Team Moneyline Runline Over/Under Run Total Game Time (Eastern)
LG Twins -105 +1.5 (-185) Over 10.0 (-115) 5:30 a.m.
KIA Tigers -125 -1.5 (+155) Under 10.0 (-115)
Team Moneyline Runline Over/Under Run Total Game Time (Eastern)
KT Wiz Suwon +120 +1.5 (-155) Over 10.5 (-115) 5:30 a.m.
Kiwoom Heroes -150 -1.5 (+125) Under 10.5 (-115)
Team Moneyline Runline Over/Under Run Total Game Time (Eastern)
Lotte Giants -105 -1.5 (-185) Over 10.0 (-115) 5:30 a.m.
SK Wyverns -125 +1.5 (+155) Under 10.0 (-115)

Odds as of Aug. 4th.

The Lions took the opening game of their series with the defending champs 6-3, improving to 4-3 versus the Bears this season. They’ll send lefty Chae Heung Choi to the mound, who’s impressive numbers in 2020 may be a bit misleading.

Choi is a School Yard Bully

If you looked at Choi’s boxscore from his previous start, you’d think he was among the KBO’s elite. The 25-year-old allowed just one hit over six scoreless innings versus Hanwha, while striking out seven. The start prior to that was impressive as well, as he limited Lotte to just two runs over 6.2 innings.

YouTube video

Seems pretty good right? The problem is those two outings were against two of the league’s bottom-four offenses. Over the last six weeks he’s also shutout SK, the KBO’s second lowest scoring team, and stymied the Eagles again to the tune of one run over 6 innings. Put him up against a lineup full of imposing bats and it’s a different story.

Chae Heung Choi vs Top-Three Offenses

Opponent IP HA R BB K
KT 4.0 9 7 3 3
NC 4.0 9 7 4 1

Choi’s faced two elite lineups this year, KT Wiz and NC, and the results have not been pretty. In each outing, he lasted just 4 innings, while surrendering nine hits and seven runs. Wednesday’s opponent Doosan just happens to rank first in hits and second in runs, and have scored 29 runs in their last four games.

The Bears meanwhile, will counter with Hui Kwan Yu who’s been a disaster lately. The left-hander has allowed 20 runs in his last four starts and has an ERA of 5.05 at home this season.

Pick: Over 9.5 (-118)

Lotte and SK Stay Low

The SK Wyverns are in a massive slump with no end in sight. They fell to Lotte 8-0 on Tuesday extending their losing streak to six games. They’ve been outscored 74-15 over that stretch, no that somehow is not a typo, and have crossed the plate just twice in their last four outings.

Yet somehow they are favored on Wednesday versus the Giants. Yes, the matchup is favorable against Lotte starter Won Sam Jang, but they’ve had plenty of plus matchups during this losing streak and they’ve failed each time.

The Wyverns will send Jong Hoon Park to the mound, who’s struggled at home this season. He’s 2-5 in eight home starts this season, posing a 6.33 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in those outings. Lotte’s offense meanwhile, has been hot recently, scoring 23 times since Saturday.

Pick: Lotte Giants moneyline (-105)

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