Lions vs. Dinos Predictions, Picks, Betting Tips 7/23/20

Match Details

League: Korean Baseball Organization League 2020

Match: Samsung Lions vs. NC Dinos

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2020 at 05:30 ET

Location: Changwon NC Park, Changwon, South Korea

Odds: Samsung Lions +189, NC Dinos -277; O/U 9.5

The KBO League continues tomorrow as the NC Dinos take on the Samsung Lions in the final round of their three-game series at the Changwon NC Park in Changwon.

The NC Dinos occupy the top of the league table with a 43-2-19 record in the regular season and a winning percentage of 0.688, 0.088 ahead of the second-placed Doosan Bears. Coming into this match, the NC Dinos extended their winning streak to three games after defeating the Samsung Lions in the first match of the series by a score of 6-5. Meanwhile, the second match of the series has been postponed. In the game, the NC Dinos scored two hits in the first inning, followed by one run in the 3rd, 5th, 6th, and final innings.

On offense, Aaron Altherr will take his place at the center-field. Aaron has recorded .297 batting average, 18 home runs, 60 RBIs. He has driven in 49 runs, making him one of the best outfielders in the league. Drew Rucinski will start the game for the NC Dinos. During the Dinos’ previous series, the 31-year-old dominated once again to prevent them from receiving their first three-game series loss of 2020. Rucinski both threw seven-plus frames and blanked an opposing team, the third time he has done that this season. The right-hander’s win streak is now at five, heading into his next start against Samsung. He has recorded 2.05 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 9-1 record in the regular season.

On the other hand, the Samsung Lions conceded their second defeat in a row after losing the first match of the series to the NC Dinos. The Lions occupy the 6th position with a 34-32 record in the regular season and a winning percentage of 0.515. The Samsung Lions three-game winning streak was snapped by the Lotte Giants in the final match of their previous series and they have not won any game since the loss. In their previous game, Kim Sang-su drove in two runs from two hits for the Lions and sported 3 RBIs.

On offense, Park Hae-min will hold the team’s center-field. Park has recorded a batting average of .297, 22 RBIs, and 5 home runs. He has also driven in 35 runs. Won Tae-In will start the game for the Samsung Lions. The second-year starter received extra rest after throwing a season-high 101 pitches in his last outing, but he is ready to take the ball for the first time since July 8. He has recorded an ERA of 3.12, 1.37 WHIP, and a 5-2 record.

In the last 9 meetings between both sides, the NC Dinos have recorded 7 wins, while the Samsung Lions won twice by at least 5 innings. The NC Dinos have held to a fantastic offensive and pitching performance since the start of the league. The hosts recorded 4.44 ERA, .291 batting average, 92 home run hits, 395 RBIs, and 409 runs from 662 hits. In comparison, the Samsung Lions’ pithing stat is almost as good as the Dinos’ although their batting prowess is average.

Lineup

Samsung Lions:

Out-Fielder: Koo Ja-wook, and Park Hae-min, Lee Sung-gon and Park Seung-gyu

In-Fielders are Lee Won-soek, Lee Hak-Ju, Sang Su Kim and Lee Sung-Gyu

Catcher: Kang Min-ho

Pitcher: Won Tae-In

NC Dinos:

Out-Fielders are Kwon Hee-dong, Aaron Altherr, Kang Jin Sung and Na Sung-bum

In-Fielders are Park Min Woo, No Jin-hyuk, Mo Chang-min and Park Suk Min

Pitcher: Drew Rucinski

Catcher: Kim Tae-goon

Predictions: Take NC Dinos -277