KBO Picks & Odds (September 19): Profiting Against Pinto

•  SK’s Ricardo Pinto is 0-2 with a 6.19 ERA vs KT Wiz this season
• Kiwoom is averaging just 3.62 runs per game in its last eight contests
• Find odds and best bets for the KBO’s five-game slate on September 19th in the article below

KT Wiz is making a late season push for top spot in the KBO standings. The Suwon have reeled off three straight wins and now find themselves sitting in third place, just 4 games out of first.

They’ll look to continue their hot play Saturday, as they open up a two-game set with SK at 4:00 am EST.

 KBO Odds: Saturday, September 19th

Odds as of Sept. 18th.

Not surprisingly, KT Wiz opened up as a favorite over lowly SK, but what is surprising is that the line isn’t higher. The Suwon are only -130 on the moneyline, despite having one of the most favorable matchups you can ask for.

Picking on Pinto

That matchup of course is a date with SK’s Ricardo Pinto. The right-hander has been everybody’s favorite punching bag this season, allowing six or more runs in six of his past nine outings. He’s 0-2, with a 6.19 ERA versus KT Wiz this season, and surrendered nine hits and six runs the last time they met.

What’s especially problematic for the Wyverns is Pinto’s propensity to give up the long ball. He’s allowed eight homers in his last six starts, and KT Wiz is not short on firepower.

the Wiz are on fire and it has been a blast to watch! the offense is elite but the pitching has been so much better, I really like their postseason chances now 👀

also:

#️⃣3️⃣6️⃣ today for Mel Rojas Jr. in an empty Gocheok Sky Dome was 💥💥💥 (via @MyKBO) pic.twitter.com/srKWWziAZN https://t.co/XNyTpwRR6B

— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) September 5, 2020

They’ve gone deep 16 times in 11 games versus SK in 2020, with Mel Rojas Jr. accounting for five of those home runs. He leads the KBO in home runs and RBI and is a big reason why the Suwon are 9-2 versus the Wyverns this season.

KT Wiz will counter with Je Seong Bae, who’s been up and down lately, but has held the opposition to two earned runs or less in six of his last 10 outings.

Pick: KT Wiz moneyline (-130)

Fade the Kiwoom Bats

While the Suwon are peaking at the right time, the Kiwoom Heroes are sputtering. They’ve won just once in their last five contests, and are fresh off a 2-0 defeat to the last place Hanwha Eagles. The Heroes wasted another rock solid outing by Eric Jokisch on Friday (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 K), failing to score a run and recording zero hits beyond the 5th inning.

The Kiwoom Heroes had the bases loaded with one out against the poopy Hanwha Eagles and can’t up empty. Not so heroic in that spot.

— Greg Peterson (@GUnit_81) September 18, 2020

Kiwoom is averaging only 3.62 runs over its past eight outings, with six of those game failing to produce a total north of 10. The over/under for Saturday’s contest versus Samsung is currently sitting at 10.5, a number which the two teams should have trouble exceeding.

The Heroes will roll with Seung Ho Lee, who’s allowed one earned run or less in four of his past five starts. Only two teams (SK and Hanwha) average fewer runs per game than Samsung, and they’ve crossed the plate five time or less in eight of the past 12 outings.

The Lions will give the ball to Chae Heung Choi, who’s been dominant lately. He’s fresh off a complete game shutout over LG, and allowed just one run in his previous outing.

Which pitchers in the KBO are allowing the least hard contact?

1. Aaron Brooks
2. Dan Straily
3. Drew Gagnon
4. Ki-young Im
5. Shi-hwan Jang
6. Jong-hoo Park
7. Chae-heung Choi
8. Odrisamer Despaigne
9. Chang-mo Koo
10. Raul Alcantara

— SIS (@SportsInfo_SIS) August 10, 2020

He’s surrendered two earned runs or less in five straight starts, and in eight of his past nine outings overall.

Pick: Under 10.5 (-108)