KBO Wednesday betting preview: Saupold quiets Kiwoom
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We had to settle for a push on the over in the ESPN game on Tuesday as we were unable to get a run across the final two innings. The rest of the card went up in flames.
It was a rough start to the week, but let's adopt a short memory and move onto Wednesday's slate.
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
ESPN game: Kiwoom Heroes (-115) @ Hanwha Eagles (-115)
One of the more frustrating teams of the season thus far, Kiwoom have all the talent in the world but have sputtered to a mediocre 13-12 start to the campaign. The lineup has started to show signs of life, though.
The Heroes have scored an incredible 37 runs over their last three games. On Wednesday, Hanwha ace Warwick Saupold will be tasked with trying to cool them off. He gets the start for the Eagles and has been lights out this season, posting a 2.65 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through five starts, with a 17/6 K/BB ratio. It will be his second start this year against Kiwoom. In the first, a road outing, he limited the Heroes to two runs on five hits across six innings with five strikeouts.
Kiwoom don't have much of a counter here, as they turn to the recently called-up Jo Young-gun - who might have the best name in the KBO - to start in place of the injured Jake Brigham. The 21-year-old will make just his third career KBO appearance, and just his second outing of the season after pitching a scoreless inning of relief against KT Wiz on Saturday. In his lone appearance last season, he made a start against the NC Dinos, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks before being pulled in the first inning after recording just one out.
It's unclear how much will be asked of him on Wednesday, but he likely won't pitch too deep into what's shaping up to be a bullpen game for the Heroes. It's not all bad news for the club, though, as the bullpen has been pitching better. On the other side, the Eagles have gone dormant on offense, scoring just 25 runs over their nine-game losing skid. Don't expect a ton of run support for Saupold.
Pick: Under 9.5 (-115)
Other picks:
- Lotte Giants (+130)
- Doosan Bears (-130)
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.