The Kiwoom Heroes visit the KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park on Saturday, September 26, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. KST, with coverage on MBC Sports+. Get in on all the KBO action with our free KBO picks.
KT enters the matchup in first place at 80-48-4 and is 7-2-1 over its last ten games. Kiwoom is last in the KBO at 45-86-4, has lost six consecutive games and owns the league’s worst run differential at minus-258.
The confirmed moneyline lists KT at approximately 1.57 decimal odds, or -175. KT is playable through -180, but the value becomes marginal at -190 or higher. A dependable conventional total was not widely posted when this article was completed, so Under 9.5 is an analytical target number rather than a confirmed sportsbook line.
Weather should not threaten the game. The forecast calls for cloudy conditions near 24°C, light winds and no meaningful rain around first pitch.
Kiwoom Heroes vs KT Wiz Game Information
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Kiwoom Heroes vs KT Wiz |
| Date | Saturday, September 26, 2026 |
| First Pitch | 5:00 p.m. KST |
| Venue | Suwon KT Wiz Park |
| Location | Suwon, South Korea |
| Television | MBC Sports+ |
| Game Status | Scheduled |
| Kiwoom Record | 45-86-4 |
| KT Record | 80-48-4 |
| Recent Form | Kiwoom 2-7-1; KT 7-2-1 |
| Season Series | KT leads 10-3-1 |
| Probable Starters | An Woo-jin vs Ko Young-pyo |
| Confirmed Moneyline | KT approximately -175 |
| Side Pick | KT Wiz ML |
| Target Total Pick | Under 9.5 |
| Projected Score | KT Wiz 6, Kiwoom Heroes 2 |
Kiwoom Heroes vs KT Wiz Team Comparison
| Category | Kiwoom Heroes | KT Wiz | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record | 45-86-4 | 80-48-4 | KT |
| Winning Percentage | .344 | .625 | KT |
| Runs Per Game | 3.79 | 5.63 | KT |
| Runs Allowed Per Game | 5.70 | 4.62 | KT |
| Run Differential | -258 | +133 | KT |
| Team Batting Average | .242 | .281 | KT |
| Hits Per Game | 8.16 | 9.80 | KT |
| Home Runs | 99 | 105 | KT |
| Team ERA | 5.33 | 4.24 | KT |
| Starting Pitcher ERA | 4.83 | 4.02 | KT |
| Bullpen ERA | 4.99 | 3.69 | KT |
| September Record | 3-10-1 | 14-5-1 | KT |
| September Runs Per Game | 2.93 | 6.60 | KT |
| September Batting Average | .223 | .301 | KT |
| Season Series | 3-10-1 | 10-3-1 | KT |
The overall statistical gap is enormous. KT scores 1.84 more runs per game and allows 1.08 fewer than Kiwoom. That creates an expected-margin difference approaching three runs before accounting for home-field advantage or the current form of the starting pitchers.
September performance strengthens the case. KT is batting .301 and averaging 6.60 runs this month, while Kiwoom is batting .223 and scoring only 2.93. The Heroes have little margin for error because their offense rarely supplies enough support to overcome a poor inning from the starter or bullpen.
Starting Pitchers
An Woo-jin — Kiwoom Heroes
An Woo-jin enters Saturday at 3-8 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.30 WHIP through 101 innings. He has recorded 115 strikeouts against 34 walks while allowing only seven home runs. His 3.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio and ability to suppress power make him the strongest reason to avoid automatically laying the run line with KT.
An delivered one of his best performances of the season in his latest start, holding KIA scoreless across six innings. He allowed five hits, walked two and struck out four. That followed an uneven stretch in which he surrendered nine runs across ten innings against NC and Doosan.
His matchup history against KT is encouraging. An has a 3.00 ERA in two appearances against the Wiz, allowing three runs over ten innings with 14 strikeouts and three walks. Kiwoom still lost both of his decisions, illustrating the difference between keeping a game competitive and receiving enough offensive or bullpen support to win it.
Ko Young-pyo — KT Wiz
Ko Young-pyo is 13-6 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 152⅔ innings. He has struck out 161 batters while issuing only 20 walks, producing an elite 8.05 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has also recorded 16 quality starts in 26 appearances.
Ko enters in exceptional form. Across his last three starts, he has allowed one run on 11 hits through 20 innings. He has struck out 17 without issuing a walk, earning the victory in all three games. That combination of length and command gives KT a strong chance to avoid exposing the bullpen before the late innings.
His 5.51 ERA against Kiwoom is the most significant concern. Ko allowed eight runs over 10⅓ innings in two earlier meetings, although he also struck out 13 and walked only two. His current execution is substantially sharper, and Kiwoom’s September offense has been considerably weaker than it was during those earlier matchups.
Starting-Pitcher Comparison
| Category | An Woo-jin | Ko Young-pyo | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throws | Right | Right | Even |
| Record | 3-8 | 13-6 | Ko |
| ERA | 3.65 | 3.54 | Ko |
| WHIP | 1.30 | 1.11 | Ko |
| Innings | 101 | 152⅔ | Ko |
| Strikeouts | 115 | 161 | Ko |
| Walks | 34 | 20 | Ko |
| Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio | 3.38 | 8.05 | Ko |
| Home Runs Allowed | 7 | 15 | An |
| Quality Starts | 6 | 16 | Ko |
| ERA vs Opponent | 3.00 | 5.51 | An |
| Last Three Starts | Inconsistent | 20 IP, 1 R, 0 BB | Ko |
| Expected Workload | 5–6 innings | 6–7 innings | Ko |
Starting-Pitcher Edge: KT Wiz
An is capable of keeping Kiwoom competitive during the opening five innings, but Ko has the stronger combination of command, workload and current form. The gap becomes more significant if the game reaches the bullpens tied or with KT holding a narrow lead.
KT Wiz Offensive Outlook
KT is batting .281 while averaging 5.63 runs and 9.80 hits per game. The Wiz have been even better in September, producing 6.60 runs per contest with a .301 team average.
Sam Hilliard anchors the lineup with a .305 average, .960 OPS, 39 home runs and 122 RBIs. He supplies elite power without sacrificing on-base ability. Ahn Hyun-min owns a .441 on-base percentage and .951 OPS, giving KT another hitter capable of changing the game through power or plate discipline.
Choi Won-jun is batting .341 with an .892 OPS, while Heo Kyoung-min carries a .323 average and .392 on-base percentage. Kim Hyun-soo has added 84 RBIs, and Ryu Hyun-in is batting .315. KT can create rallies through contact and patience before asking Hilliard or the middle of the order to provide the extra-base hit.
Kiwoom Heroes Offensive Outlook
Kiwoom is batting .242 and averaging a league-low 3.79 runs per game. Its production has declined further in September, when the Heroes have averaged 2.93 runs with a .223 batting average.
Matthew Davidson is the lineup’s primary power threat. He is batting .280 with an .843 OPS, 21 home runs and 77 RBIs. Seo Geon-chang provides reliable on-base production with a .308 average and .395 OBP, while Choo Jae-hyun has contributed a .293 average and .374 OBP.
The lineup falls off significantly beyond that core. Keston Hiura has a .760 OPS, but Park Chan-hyeok and An Chi-hong are closer to league-average offensive options. Several likely bottom-order hitters carry on-base percentages below .310, allowing Ko to attack that section of the lineup rather than consistently pitching around the primary threats.
Offensive Comparison
| Lineup Area | Kiwoom Heroes | KT Wiz | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Power Hitter | Matthew Davidson | Sam Hilliard | KT |
| Leadoff Production | Seo Geon-chang, Choo Jae-hyun | Choi Won-jun, Heo Kyoung-min | KT |
| Middle-Order Power | Davidson, Keston Hiura | Hilliard, Ahn Hyun-min | KT |
| Contact Hitting | .242 team average | .281 team average | KT |
| September Average | .223 | .301 | KT |
| On-Base Depth | Concentrated at top | Multiple reliable options | KT |
| Bottom-Order Production | Poor | Above average | KT |
| Runs Per Game | 3.79 | 5.63 | KT |
| Overall Grade | C- | A | KT |
Offensive Edge: KT Wiz
Kiwoom has enough top-order talent to capitalize on mistakes, but KT presents a dangerous matchup from the first spot through the lower middle of the order. An may pitch effectively and still face consistent traffic because the Wiz have multiple hitters who combine high averages with strong walk rates.
Bullpen Comparison
KT’s bullpen owns a 3.69 ERA, compared with Kiwoom’s 4.99 mark. That difference becomes particularly important because An has completed more than six innings only once in his last four starts.
Son Dong-hyun has posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 58 innings for KT. Woo Kyu-min owns a 3.20 ERA, while Kim Jeong-woon has a 3.06 ERA with 23 strikeouts through 17⅔ innings. The Wiz have several credible options for protecting a lead without requiring the same reliever to cover multiple innings.
Kiwoom’s relief corps lacks comparable consistency. Kanakubo Yuto, Cho Young-gun and Park Ji-sung all carry ERAs near 4.90, while several secondary options are above 5.50. The Heroes’ bullpen has shown modest improvement in September, but its 5.09 road ERA remains a major concern.
| Bullpen Category | Kiwoom | KT | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Season ERA | 4.99 | 3.69 | KT |
| Road/Home Split | Kiwoom 5.09 away | KT 3.75 home | KT |
| September ERA | 4.35 | 4.12 | KT |
| Reliable Middle Relief | Limited | Multiple options | KT |
| Late-Inning Depth | Below average | Above average | KT |
| Overall Grade | C- | B+ | KT |
Bullpen Edge: KT Wiz
Kiwoom’s best path requires An to provide at least six strong innings and hand over a lead. A short start would force the league’s lowest-scoring offense to overcome both KT’s superior lineup and a sizable relief-pitching disadvantage.
Season-Series Context
KT leads the season series 10-3-1, confirming that its broader team advantages have translated directly into results against Kiwoom.
The starting-pitcher history makes Saturday more nuanced than the records suggest. An has allowed only three runs in ten innings against KT, while Ko has surrendered eight runs in 10⅓ innings against Kiwoom. That gives the Heroes a plausible route to a close game through five innings.
The full-game matchup still favors KT decisively. An pitched well enough to win both of his earlier appearances against the Wiz but received two losses. Kiwoom’s limited offense and vulnerable bullpen repeatedly make competitive starts insufficient against stronger opponents.
Matchup Report Card
| Category | Kiwoom Grade | KT Grade | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Pitcher | A- | A | KT |
| Recent Starting Form | B+ | A+ | KT |
| Top of the Lineup | B | A | KT |
| Middle-Order Power | B- | A | KT |
| Bottom-Half Depth | D+ | B+ | KT |
| Bullpen | C- | B+ | KT |
| Run Prevention | D | B+ | KT |
| Recent Form | D | A- | KT |
| Head-to-Head Performance | D | A | KT |
| Home-Field Advantage | — | B+ | KT |
| Overall Matchup Grade | C | A | KT |
Keys to the Game
Kiwoom Heroes
- Receive at least six innings from An Woo-jin.
- Prevent Choi Won-jun and Ahn Hyun-min from reaching base ahead of Sam Hilliard.
- Force Ko Young-pyo away from the strike zone after he issued no walks in his last three starts.
- Generate early production from Davidson and the top four hitters.
- Avoid exposing the bullpen while the game remains tied.
KT Wiz
- Make An work through extended counts rather than allowing him to settle into a strikeout rhythm.
- Attack Kiwoom’s bottom-third hitters and limit traffic ahead of Davidson.
- Allow Ko to work deep if his command resembles his last three starts.
- Use KT’s contact depth to create pressure even when the home-run ball is unavailable.
- Force Kiwoom into its middle-relief options by the sixth or seventh inning.
Kiwoom Heroes vs KT Wiz Picks and Prediction
Side Pick: KT Wiz ML
KT owns the superior offense, bullpen, home record, recent form and season-series performance. Ko Young-pyo also enters with one of the strongest three-start stretches of any pitcher on Saturday’s slate.
An Woo-jin creates enough resistance to make the KT run line unnecessarily volatile. The full-game moneyline provides protection against a close opening five innings while retaining KT’s substantial advantage once the starters depart.
The confirmed price of approximately KT -175 remains playable. The preferred ceiling is -180, with -185 representing the absolute upper edge for a smaller position. Pass if the price reaches -190 or higher.
Side Confidence Grade: A-
Total Pick: Under 9.5
Kiwoom has scored only 2.93 runs per game during September and now faces a starter who has allowed one run across his last 20 innings. The Heroes may struggle to reach three runs unless Ko’s poor earlier matchup results repeat.
An has the strikeout ability and home-run suppression needed to keep KT from immediately turning the game into a rout. He owns a 3.00 ERA against the Wiz and should keep the total under control for at least the first half of the game.
Under 9.5 is the preferred target. Under 9.0 is acceptable as a smaller wager with push protection, but the margin is insufficient at 8.5. Because no dependable conventional total was confirmed, bettors should distinguish this recommendation from an available sportsbook line.
Total Confidence Grade: B+
Best Betting Approach
| Market | Recommendation | Betting Range | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | KT Wiz ML | Play to -180; pass at -190 | A- |
| Total | Under 9.5 | Smaller at 9.0; pass at 8.5 | B+ |
Final Prediction
An Woo-jin should prevent KT from dominating immediately, but he must work through a deep lineup that is batting .301 in September. Even a solid five- or six-inning performance may leave Kiwoom’s bullpen responsible for protecting a narrow margin against the league’s first-place team.
Ko Young-pyo’s command and current form should limit Kiwoom’s scoring opportunities. Once the starters leave, KT’s offensive depth and stronger relief corps provide the decisive advantages.
Final side pick: KT Wiz ML
Final total pick: Under 9.5
Projected score: KT Wiz 6, Kiwoom Heroes 2
Game status, probable starters and the KT moneyline were rechecked on September 25, 2026. Under 9.5 is a target total rather than a confirmed sportsbook line.
