Korean Series Picks and Odds (Nov. 18): What Happened to the Doosan Bats?

• Defending champion Doosan clashes with NC in Game 2 of the Korean Series
• The Dinos lead the best-of-7 series 1-0, after taking the opener 5-3
• Find odds and best bets for the KBO’s one-game playoff slate on November 18th in the article below

Despite a two-plus week break, the NC Dinos didn’t show any rust in Game 1 of the Korean Series. NC built a 4-0 lead on defending champion Doosan, and held on for a 5-3 victory.

Game 2 of the best-of-7 series goes Wednesday, at 4:30 am EST, and for the second straight game the Bears are a slight favorite. Game 1 managed to squeak over the total of 7.5, and oddsmakers pegged that number for the over/under again on Wednesday.

 KBO Korean Series Odds: Game 2

Odds as of Nov. 17th at FanDuel.

Doosan will give the ball to Chris Flexen (8-4, 3.01 ERA), who has been dominate over the last six weeks, while NC will counter with Chang Mo Koo (9-0, 1.74 ERA), who was on his way to one of the greatest KBO seasons ever, until a forearm injury derailed his campaign in July.

How Healthy is Koo?

Koo returned to the mound during the second last week of the season pitching an 1.1 innings in relief, before starting the Dinos penultimate game. He was pulled after 5 innings in that outing, but told the media this week that he’s completely pain free. He also added that he’s capable of throwing 100 pitches on Wednesday, which should have Doosan and over bettors concerned.

Korean Series: NC beat Doosan 5-3 to take Game 1. Game 2 is tomorrow and will feature a Flexen vs Koo Chang-mo matchup pic.twitter.com/kVS2RoOMAu

— Dan Kurtz (@MyKBO) November 17, 2020

When healthy in 2020, Koo was virtually unhittable. He allowed one run or less in 11 of his 14 starts, shutting out the opposition four times. He had a ridiculous 100-17 strikeout-to-walk rate before going on the injured list, and he surrendered just 19 extra-base hits all season.

All 10 of Koo Chang-mo's strikeouts today pic.twitter.com/KRs8Gg7sof

— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) July 18, 2020

He faced the Bears just once, but it was a masterclass performance. Koo gave up just two hits and one run over 8 innings, sitting down seven Doosan batters along the way. The Bears offense has been in a major funk lately, and date with Koo isn’t likely to change that. Doosan has scored four or fewer runs in all but one of its seven playoff games, and will need another strong outing from Flexen to keep this contest close.

Flexen on Everyone

Flexen’s scorching hot finish to the regular season has carried over to the playoffs, as he’s won both of his starts and earned a save in the series clincher versus KT Wiz.

Magical season continues for former Met Chris Flexen as he was named MVP of 3rd RD of #KBO Playoffs. He is expected start Game 1 of #KoreanSeries vs #NCDinos. #MVP #DoosanBears pic.twitter.com/LRQ5iHMvci

— Daniel Kim 대니얼 김 (@DanielKimW) November 13, 2020

Over his last six starts he’s allowed just three total runs, and he hasn’t surrendered more than two runs in any of his past eight outings. A matchup with the league’s number one offense is imposing, but Flexen has already proven he’s more than capable of shutting the Dinos down. He’s clashed with NC three times in 2020, pitching 8 innings of one-run ball in his most impressive outing.

Back to the Well

We failed to cash our under ticket on Tuesday, however with an even stronger starting pitching matchup on deck, we’re going right back to the well.

Flexen has been unconscious on the mound for Doosan, while Koo is the best talent in the league if he’s as healthy as he says. All but two of the KBO playoff games this season have gone under the total, and I’m betting this one will as well.

Pick: Under 7.5 (-112)