KBO Picks & Odds (May 17): SK Wyverns’ Struggles Continue

• The NC Dinos have allowed just 3 runs in two games versus last-place SK Wyverns
• Kiwoom’s Eric Jokisch looks to shutdown the LG Twins
• See below for odds and best bets in the May 17th KBO games

The Korean Baseball Organization’s season rolls on Sunday (May 17, 1 am EST) with all 10 teams in action. The slate is headlined by the first place NC Dinos, who put their 9-1 record on the line against lowly SK Wyverns (1-9).

The Dinos will be looking to complete the 3-game sweep of the Wyverns and hold them to two runs or less for the third consecutive game.

KBO Odds: Sunday, May 17

Odds taken May 16th.

Keep Backing the Best

The Dinos will send former Los Angeles Angles and Minnesota Twins pitcher Drew Rucinski to the hill on Sunday. The 31-year-old was roughed up in his last start by KT Wiz, but in his previous outing he was outstanding, He held Samsung scoreless over six innings, surrendering just three hits en route to a 4-0 win.

https://youtu.be/r-G0ayNKFeQ

Now he gets to face a Wyverns’ offense that has been anemic all season. They rank last in batting average (.221) and have scored just 28 runs in 10 games, the fewest in the KBO. They’ve crossed the plate just three times so far through the opening two games of this series, and have scored two runs or fewer in four straight.

As bad as their offense has been, the Wyverns’ pitching hasn’t fared much better. They have a team ERA of 5.13 and have allowed eight runs or more four times already.

Pick: NC Dinos -1.5 (-130)

A Projected Pitcher’s Duel

Eric Jokisch has been virtually unhittable through his first two starts for Kiwoom. The former Chicago Cubs hurler has allowed just one earned run in 14.1 innings so far this season, shutting down both the Samsung and Kia bats. Now he’ll look to do the same against the LG Twins, and help the Heroes snap a four-game losing streak.

The Heroes frustrations continue. A doubleheader sweep vs LG Twins, lowering Kiwoom’s record to 6-5 on the season. The team looks to starter Eric Jokisch to end the four game losing streak tomorrow – and keep the team above .500.

— Kiwoom Heroes International (@kwheroesfan) May 16, 2020

The Twins will counter with Woo Chan Cha, who is 2-0 and was especially strong in his first start versus Doosan. Cha held the KBO’s highest scoring team to just one run over six innings, en route to an 8-2 win.

Kiwoom’s offense ranks bottom-three in average, runs and home runs and will likely struggle if Cha brings his A-game. With a pair of quality arms on the mound, this game will have a hard time eclipsing the over.

Pick: Under 8.5 (-115)

Keep Riding the Doosan Over

The great thing about betting the over in Doosan games is that you have multiple outs. Either the Bears offense can get you there by themselves, or the pitching staff can implode and surrender double-digit runs. Doosan has allowed 10 or more runs in four of their 10 games, while scoring 10 or more in three of their outings. 90% of their games have gone over the total, including both this series against Kia.

Preston Tucker having a day! A base clearing double after hitting his 4th HR of the season. #KBO #KiaTigers pic.twitter.com/KOV1pVETMC

— KBO Collections ⚾ (@kbocollections) May 16, 2020

The Tigers crushed the Bears 13-4 on Saturday, a day after losing by that exact same score. With 34 runs scored between the two clubs in two games so far, a total of 9.5 on Sunday doesn’t seem nearly high enough.

Pick: Over 9.5 (-130)