KBO Picks & Odds (July 12): Can’t Fade Chang Mo Koo

• NC’s Chang Mo Koo is 8-0, with a 1.48 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in 2020
• Samsung’s David Buchanan limited KT Wiz to 2 runs over 6.2 innings earlier this season
• Find odds and best bets for the KBO’s five-game slate on July 12th in the article below

Happy Chang Mo Koo day everybody! The KBO’s top arm returns to the mound Sunday at 4:00 am EST, as his NC Dinos look to knock off the LG Twins and capture yet another series win. NC has won six straight series since the middle of June, and have built a 5.5 game lead atop the KBO standings.

Their ace Koo meanwhile, has rebounded with back-to-back dominant outings after a rare off night versus KT Wiz three starts ago. He’ll be eyeing his league leading ninth win of the season on Sunday, and has still yet to taste defeat.

 KBO Odds: Sunday, July 12th

Odds as of July 11th.

Home Not So Sweet Home

Koo has racked up 17 strikeouts in his last two outings, while surrendering just three runs. He’s given up more than one run in just three of 11 starts, and only one team (KT Wiz) has crossed the plate more than twice against him.

Here's your weekly dosage of Koo Chang-mo (구창모) 🐐

𝟳𝗜𝗣 | 𝟵𝟴𝗡𝗣 | 𝟭𝗥 | 𝟴𝗛 | 𝟬𝗛𝗥 | 𝟲𝗞@MyKBO | #KBO pic.twitter.com/aNVcykOJdi

— taewoongi (태웅) (@taewoongii) July 7, 2020

NC is also one of the premier road teams in the league, posting a 17-9 record away, while LG has struggled on its home diamond this season. They’re just 10-17 at home, and have lost nine of their last 11 there.

The Giants will counter with Yun Sik Kim, who’s primarily a reliever and was blown out in his only career start. The 20-year-old has a 7.24 ERA in 10 appearances this season and will be hard pressed to find success against the KBO’s top team.

Pick: NC Dinos -1.5 (-148)

Samsung Looks to Avoid Sweep

As we discussed yesterday, KT Wiz owns left-handed pitching this season and they didn’t disappoint by pounding lefty Chae Heung Choi for seven runs in just four innings. Fortunately for Samsung, they won’t trot out a third straight southpaw against KT Wiz, but instead righty David Buchanan.

Samsung's David Buchanan got the complete game win over SK. He only gave up 4 hits, 1 run, and had 7K's. pic.twitter.com/uAac1jo5lS

— Dan Kurtz (@MyKBO) July 1, 2020

The 31-year-old is 7-3 this season and is fresh off back-to-back one-run performances. He’s already faced the Suwon this season, and he handled himself quite well. He allowed just two runs in 6.2 innings en route to a 5-3 win.

KT Wiz meanwhile, will counter with Min Soo Kim and his 5.74 ERA and 1.83 WHIP. Kim struggles badly with his control and has allowed 28 base runners in his last three starts.

Pick: Samsung Lions moneyline (-130)

Wyverns Clip Eagles’ Wings

It’s been a while but we’re finally back to picking on the Hanwha Eagles. Hanwha was held to just three runs on Saturday in a defeat to SK, marking the sixth time that’s happened in its last 10 outings. They rank dead last in the KBO in average, runs, hits and home runs, and will be in tough against Wyverns starter Seung Won Moon.

Today's #KBO K leader was Moon Seung-won of the SK Wyverns

7.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K

Over his last 3 starts he has a 2.33 ERA with a 0.83 WHIP pic.twitter.com/Gb56qRX2Kn

— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) June 13, 2020

The right-hander has allowed just two earned runs total in his last four starts, and hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in any of his last seven outings. He has a 62-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and ranks seventh among KBO pitchers in WAR.

Hanwha will counter with Shi Hwan Jang, who allowed four runs in just 4.2 innings in his previous start versus SK in a 9-3 defeat.

Pick: SK Wyverns moneyline (-152)