KBO Predictions and Analysis – Friday, April 16 (2021)

The first series of the week in the top South Korean baseball league brought us plenty of exciting games, and I hope for more of the same on Friday. Many teams will be disappointed by their recent results, and I expect a strong response from them.

I share my thoughts on every clash of the next round in my KBO predictions for April 16. The post also includes my analysis of all fixtures and the starting pitchers. I haven’t added betting picks because the odds are yet to be released. They’ll be available at the top KBO betting sites a little later.

Here’s a complete list of the games I cover in my KBO predictions for Friday.

Both teams have a 5-5 record so far in the league and enter this clash after a victory. The Landers showed some teeth after losing the first two games against the NC Dinos this week and dominated the third encounter of the series.

They will be confident after such a strong performance, and they are expected to start their new signing, Artie Lewicki. The pitcher was solid in both of his games so far, and they came against decent opponents.

He should give his team the edge, especially since the Tigers are expected to send Im Gi-Yeong, who was demolished in his season debut. That’s hardly a surprise for a guy with an over 5.00 ERA in 2020, and the Landers should be able to punish him.

SSG has all the advantages going into this one, so I’m backing them to win the opening game on Friday.

The LG Twins lead the KBO after the first ten rounds or so, and the team’s defense is as good as we expected before the start of the campaign.

The Twins just won two out of three games versus a strong opponent in the Kiwoom Heroes, so the morale will be high for the series against Doosan.

I expect something similar on Friday when Walker Lockett should start, but LG’s choice is even better.

Casey Kelly is one of the best pitchers in South Korea, and the Twins have the most reliable bullpen in the league. That’s why I prefer to back them in my KBO predictions for April 16.

If I have to base my KBO predictions purely on form, I should pick the Lions in this clash. Samsung won four of the last five games to earn the third position on the table, and the team’s confidence surely is high right now.

The problem is that the schedule has been relatively kind, and the squad will have to face Dan Straily next. Lotte’s pitcher is one of the top KBO players in this position, and he can contain anyone.

At the same time, the Lions will have to rely on Ben Lively, who has struggled badly this season, so I prefer to go against them.

The clash between the Heroes and KT Wiz might be the most entertaining one this Friday. Both sides are sending pitchers who have been leaky, and we might see a ton of runs here.

I believe that the Heroes have a stronger offense than their opponents, which is why I’m backing them to win the series opener.

And yet, this game is hard to predict and could go either way. The defenses are simply too unreliable, so be careful and watch out for the totals line.

I’m pretty confident that the reigning champions will beat Hanwha Eagles in game one on April 16. The Dinos have found their rhythm after a rough start, and it’s Drew Rucinski’s turn in their rotation.

The Dinos should have a lot of fun when they are batting, too, because they will face the struggling Jang Si-Hwan, who allowed five runs in only three innings in his opening game of the 2021 season.

I simply don’t see how the Eagles can take something from this game, so I’m backing the Dinos.