KBO Baseball Picks (May 8): Bears Search for 3rd Straight Win, Twins’ Wilson Makes Season Debut

• The Korea Baseball Organization is back in full swing
• All ten teams are in action on May 8
• Take note, bettors: we have live sports to watch. This is not a drill!

Each of the 10 teams in the Korea Baseball Organization are forging ahead with their second series of the very young 2020 season. That means they’ll be facing teams (and pitchers) they haven’t seen yet this year, which makes wagering on them an even more difficult task — albeit still fun and worthwhile.

On Wednesday, in my first attempt to find bettor-friendly odds on KBO games, I went 2-1 in runlines and 0-1 in over/unders. Back to the drawing board.

Here’s a look at the slate of games ahead on Friday, May 8. All five start at 5:30 AM ET (2:30 AM PT).

KBO Odds: Friday, May 8

Odds taken May 7.

It’s important to keep in mind that each team has played only three games so far. Therefore, the sample sizes are microscopic. But using a combination of numbers from this season and last, we’ll analyze which games/bets you should have your eyes on.

Bad News Bears

This is a bit of a misleading subheading, since the Doosan Bears appear more likely to bring good news to those who bet on them. The reigning KBO champions polished off a series win over the LG Twins on Thursday morning and now set their sights on the lowly KT Wiz Suwon.

Doosan Bears catcher with a hose piece right on the money pic.twitter.com/ZBuYOxPFXM

— Ben Porter (@Ben13Porter) May 5, 2020

KT Wiz Suwon lost all three of its games against the Lotte Giants, scoring only nine runs in the process.

And get this — Suwon is sending 18-year-old Hyeong-jun So to the mound against the Bears to make his professional debut. Perhaps the youngster has a bright future ahead, but he’s in a tough spot here against the Bears.

Pick: Doosan Bears -1.5 (-110)

Where’s The Offense?

On paper, the KIA Tigers and Samsung Lions have had two of the worst offenses in the league. Samsung has scored an astoundingly low five runs in three games, while Kia has only scored 12. So grabbing the under on their 8.5-run total should be obvious, right?

Not so fast. KIA has been under-producing, but not exactly underperforming. The Tigers are third in the league in hits (31) despite only cashing in 12 runs (which ranks seventh).

This was part of a 5-run 8th inning for the Kia Tigers, capped off by a 3-run oppo taco from former Astros, Braves, and Reds OF Preston Tucker. pic.twitter.com/X5nFVVOju3

— Connor Newcomb (@ConnorNewcomb_) May 7, 2020

They offered a glimpse at an offensive breakout in their last game, plating eight runs on 16 hits. Keep an eye out for them to stay hot at the plate and help this game hit the over.

Pick: KIA Tigers -1.5 (+105); Over 8.5 (-120)

The American Way

Last one here, and I’ll keep it brief. The LG Twins have an intriguing starter in their matchup with the NC Dinos, sending American pitcher Tyler Wilson to the mound.

Wilson, a former 10th-round pick with three years of MLB experience, has carved up the KBO in the past two years (23-11, 2.99 ERA).

Tyler Wilson (LG Twins):

Another former Orioles who came over to the KBO in 2018. This will be his third season pitching in Korea after being in Baltimore 2015-17 with a career 5.02 ERA.

Wilson did, however, throw 8 scoreless innings in a start on June 16, 2016 at Fenway Park. pic.twitter.com/Fv5FC7T4j5

— Connor Newcomb (@ConnorNewcomb_) May 4, 2020

With him on the mound, facing a Dinos team that has pitched excellently (league-best 1.67 ERA) but struggled with offense (.238 team batting average, eighth in KBO), I like the Twins’ chances.

Pick: LG Twins -1.5 (+140); Under 8.5 (-110)