The Doosan Bears travel to Incheon to face the SSG Landers on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Incheon SSG Landers Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. KST. Doosan enters the matchup at 61-56-4, while SSG comes in at 51-66-5 after taking the opening game of this series 4-0 on Friday.
Doosan still leads the season series 7-6 despite Friday’s loss, making Saturday the 14th meeting between the clubs this season. The Bears have been the considerably better team over the full year, but their recent slide makes this matchup more complicated than the standings suggest.
At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Bettors looking for more daily analysis can also check out our free KBO picks throughout the season.
Starting Pitchers
Doosan will hand the ball to Choi Min-seok, who has developed into one of the best starting pitchers in the KBO this season. Choi enters Saturday at 13-3 with a 2.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 127.2 innings. He has allowed 114 hits, six home runs and 52 walks while striking out 114. Choi was particularly sharp throughout August, going 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA and allowing two or fewer earned runs in each of his four starts. SSG counters with Kim Min-jun, who has been outstanding through his first 12 appearances. Kim is 5-2 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 60.2 innings, allowing only 47 hits while striking out 44. He has also already faced Doosan this season, limiting the Bears to two runs over six innings in a victory.
Doosan Needs Its Pitching to Stop the Slide
Doosan has spent most of the season in postseason position, but the Bears enter Saturday needing to reverse some ugly recent momentum. They have lost four consecutive games, including Friday’s 4-0 shutout against SSG. That defeat dropped Doosan to 61-56-4 and continued an offensive stretch in which the Bears have struggled to generate enough run support.
The season-long numbers still make Doosan the stronger overall team. The Bears have hit around .269 while averaging approximately 4.7 runs per game. They have also received some of the best pitching in the KBO, carrying a team ERA around 3.65. That run prevention has been the foundation of their success and is especially important Saturday considering the current problems at the plate.
Doosan’s weakness recently has been turning baserunners into runs, and Friday provided another example. That creates some risk with the moneyline despite Choi’s substantial pitching advantage over most opponents. The encouraging part is that the Bears do not need a huge offensive performance Saturday. If Choi provides six or seven innings near his normal level, four runs could be enough to win.
SSG Looks to Build on Friday’s Shutout
SSG improved to 51-66-5 with Friday’s 4-0 victory and has an opportunity to secure the series by beating Doosan again Saturday. The Landers have struggled throughout the season primarily because of pitching, but their offense has been considerably more dangerous than the record indicates.
SSG has hit more than 120 home runs this season and carries considerably more long-ball power than Doosan. The Landers have produced around five runs per game despite sitting near the bottom portion of the standings. Their ability to change a game with one swing makes them dangerous even against one of the league’s better starters.
The season-long pitching numbers are the biggest concern. SSG has carried a team ERA above 5.00 and has allowed runs at one of the highest rates in the KBO. Saturday, however, is different because Kim has performed considerably better than the staff as a whole. His 3.41 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and .214 opponent batting average make him one of the reasons this matchup sets up much better for an Under than SSG’s overall pitching statistics would normally suggest.
Doosan Bears vs SSG Landers Picks and Prediction
Pick: Doosan Bears Moneyline
Doosan is my side pick Saturday, although I consider the total considerably stronger. Choi has been one of the KBO’s most dependable pitchers, going 13-3 with a 2.61 ERA while giving Doosan quality innings nearly every time through the rotation. He also enters after an excellent August in which he went 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA. SSG deserves respect after shutting out Doosan on Friday, and Kim Min-jun gives the Landers a legitimate chance to win another low-scoring game. The difference is that Choi gives Doosan the stronger starting profile over a much larger body of work. I expect the Bears to manufacture enough offense to end their losing streak.
Pick: Doosan Bears ML
Pick: Under 8.5
The Under 8.5 is the best bet in this matchup. Choi has allowed only six home runs across 127.2 innings and enters with a 2.61 ERA, while Kim has posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Kim has also allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, including two runs over six innings against this same Doosan club. Friday’s 4-0 result also demonstrated how difficult runs can be to manufacture when the stronger portions of these pitching staffs control the game. Doosan’s recent offensive struggles add another reason to expect a relatively quiet scoreboard. Under 8.5 offers enough protection for a 4-3 or even 5-3 finish, and I would still play the Under at 8.0. At 7.5, the value becomes thin enough to pass.
Pick: Under 8.5
Doosan Bears vs SSG Landers Best Bet
Best Bet: Under 8.5
Saturday gives us one of the better starting-pitching combinations on the KBO schedule. Choi has been among the league’s best starters over the entire season, while Kim has consistently outperformed an otherwise weak SSG pitching staff. Doosan has also entered this series struggling to score, and SSG does not need to produce many runs to keep the game competitive.
The combination of two starters capable of working deep into the game, Doosan’s recent offensive problems and the possibility of a tight late-inning matchup makes the Under the strongest wager.
Best Bet: Doosan Bears vs SSG Landers Under 8.5
Playable to: Under 8.0
Pass at: Under 7.5
Projected score: Doosan Bears 4, SSG Landers 3
This preview was completed before the start of the game. Betting lines, starting lineups and player availability can change before first pitch.
