KBO Playoff Picks and Odds (Nov. 5): LG on the Verge of Elimination

• Doosan faces LG on Thursday in Game 2 of the KBO Semi-Playoff
• The Bears took the opening game of the best-of-3 series 4-0
• Find odds and best bets for the KBO’s one-game playoff slate on November 5th in the article below

Defending champion Doosan is now one win away from advancing to the next round of the KBO playoffs after blanking LG 4-0 on Wednesday.

Fuelled by a brilliant start from Chris Flexen, who allowed just four hits while striking out 11 over 6 innings, the Bears can eliminate the Twins on Thursday at 4:30 am EST.

Game 2 features another exciting pitching matchup, as 20-game winner Raul Alcantara toes the rubber for Doosan, while LG counters with Tyler Wilson.

 KBO Semi-Playoff Odds: Game 2

Odds as of Nov. 4th at FanDuel.

Not surprisingly, given the strength of the starting pitching matchup, the total opened at just 7.5. The Bears are a sizeable favorite on the moneyline, while Alcantara will be looking to notch his third victory of the season versus the Twins.

Alcantara in Amazing Form

The Bears ace has been pitching out of his mind over the last two months, racking up 10 wins in his past 11 starts. He’s allowed three runs total over his past five outings, and is fresh off a masterclass performance versus Kiwoom.

In a crucial game for Doosan, Raúl Alcántara tossed an 8+ IP, 2 hit gem against the Kiwoom Heroes. Carried a perfect game into the 6th and helped Doosan make a late move to the 3rd-seed for the #KBO playoffs. Threw a bunch of changeups against Kiwoom's LHH-heavy lineup #KBOLeague pic.twitter.com/OwgEWBWi9b

— Ben Howell (he/him) (@benhowell71) October 30, 2020

He’s recorded a shutout in six of his last 11 starts, and has allowed more than two runs just twice over that stretch. Dating back to September 20th, the last time he faced LG, he’s posted a 56-7 strikeout-to-walk rate, and has surrendered just two homers. The guy is on fire.

 Alcantara vs LG this Season

He’s made four starts against the Twins in 2020, posting a 2-1 record and holding them to one run or less twice.

Wilson Returns From Layoff

Wilson meanwhile, will make his first start in over a month on Thursday. The right-hander hasn’t pitched since October 4th due to elbow inflammation, and there’s serious doubts about how long he’ll last in Game 2.

#KBO injury note: LG Twins' starter Tyler Wilson has been diagnosed with right elbow inflammation. The Twins said he'll receive injection for the next couple of weeks and then set a timetable for his return

— Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) October 5, 2020

Wilson has been plagued by inconsistency all season, and struggled badly in the month leading up to his injury diagnosis. He allowed at least five runs in three of his final six starts, surrendering double-digit hit counts on three separate occasions.

He faced Doosan once all season, allowing three runs and eight hits over 6 innings, in a 6-0 Bears victory.

Doosan's Jose Miguel Fernandez with the 2-run home run and bat-flip/throw pic.twitter.com/Zjo0eWEDPT

— Dan Kurtz (@MyKBO) November 4, 2020

The defending champs smacked seven hits on Wednesday, led by Jose Miguel Fernandez’s two-run homer. With a shorter start from Wilson likely, they should get plenty of at-bats against a Twins bullpen that posted a 4.61 ERA during the regular season.

Roll with Alcantara and the Champs

With Alcantara on the mound, Doosan has been nearly unbeatable over the past two months and there’s little reason to believe that will change here.

Scoreboard of Semi-Playoff Game 1!#KBO #POSTSEASON #SemiPlayoff #scores pic.twitter.com/2Tpfc09xWA

— KBO (@KBOleague) November 4, 2020

The Bears are on a nicely little run lately, winning five straight, and have a big advantage in the hitting and pitching department. Much like Wednesday, I like Doosan to jump out to an early lead versus Wilson and ride Alcantara’s arm the rest of the way.

Pick: Doosan Bears moneyline (-182)