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KBO Playoff Picks and Odds (Nov. 12): Doosan 1 Win Away From Korean Series

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in News

Updated Mar 5, 2021 · 8:20 AM PST

Doosan Bears stadium in Seoul
The Doosan Bears stadium in Seoul. Photo by Johnny Silvercloud (flickr)
  • KT Wiz clashes with Doosan on Thursday in Game 3 of the KBO Playoff
  • The Bears lead the best-of-5 series 2-0, and can advance to the Korean Series with a win
  • Find odds and best bets for the KBO’s one-game playoff slate on November 12th in the article below

Doosan’s postseason dominance continued on Tuesday, with a 4-1 victory over KT Wiz in Game 2 of the KBO Playoff. The defending champs now have a commanding 2-0 series, and are just one victory away from a return trip to the Korean Series.

The Bears can punch their ticket to the championship round on Thursday, at 4:30 am EST, when they host the Suwon in Game 3.

 KBO Playoff Odds: Game 3

Team Moneyline Runline Over/Under Run Total Game Time (Eastern)
KT Wiz Suwon +172 +1.5 (-126) Over 7.5 (-128) 4:30 a.m.
Doosan Bears -215 -1.5 (-102) Under 7.5 (+102)

Odds as of Nov. 11th at FanDuel.

If you believe what oddsmakers are selling, it won’t be long before we see a Doosan versus NC showdown for the title. The Bears opened up as heavy favorites in Game 3 over KT Wiz, in large part due to the fact that 20-game winner Raul Alcantara will be on the mound.

Alcantara Up and Down vs KT Wiz in 2020

The 27-year-old closed the regular season by winning seven consecutive starts, and each of his final 10 decisions. He surrendered just three runs over his final five outings, recording three shutouts along the way.

He was recently named the top pitcher in the KBO for 2020, earning the award ahead of big names such as Dan Straily, Aaron Brooks, Drew Rucinski and David Buchanan. He was the only 20-game winner this season, and ranked second in strikeouts and innings pitches, and fourth in ERA.

Alcantara, who pitched last season for KT Wiz, posted a 2-0 record versus them this season in three starts, but wasn’t his usual dominant self in each outing. He surrendered eight runs over 17 innings, and allowed more hits and walks per 9 innings than against any other opponent.

That being said, he did deliver a phenomenal performance in his final appearance against them, shutting out the Suwon over 6 innings in an 8-0 victory.

Cuevas Struggled Down the Stretch

KT Wiz will counter with 10-game winner William Cuevas, who’s performance declined sharply down the stretch. He allowed 21 runs over his final six starts, and was hit hard by the Bears twice.

 Cuevas vs Doosan in 2020

Dec IP R SO BB
ND 3.0 2 1 2
L 3.1 6 1 4
W 8.0 0 4 0

He failed to make it out of the 4th inning in each of those outings against Doosan, allowing eight runs and posting a 2-6 strikeout-to-walk rate.

With KT Wiz’s season on the line, they’ll need a strong performance from the right-hander, as runs have been nearly impossible to come by against the Bears in the postseason. Doosan has allowed two runs or less in three of four playoff games, while the Suwon bats have scored just three times in 18 innings so far in this series.

Next Stop Korean Series

Dating back to the regular season, the defending champs have won eight straight games, and with their ace on the mound on Thursday, it’s hard to envision their winning streak being snapped.

It is slightly concerning that Alcantara hasn’t pitched as well versus KT Wiz as the rest of the league, however his final outing of the regular season versus them should be all the proof we need that he’s capable of shutting them down.

I wouldn’t fault anyone for taking Doosan on the runline, but considering how close all of the playoff games have been so far, I’ll just eat the juice and bet the Bears on the moneyline.

Pick: Doosan Bears moneyline (-215)

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