The KIA Tigers and Lotte Giants will clash on August 5, 2025, at 6:30 PM KST at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, kicking off a three-game series in the KBO League. Both teams are vying for playoff positioning, promising a high-stakes, high-energy matchup. Below is an in-depth preview, covering team analysis, key players, pitching matchups, recent form, and a prediction for the winner.
Team Overview
KIA Tigers
- 2025 Record (as of early August): 46-47, 7th in KBO
- Team Performance: The defending KBO champions have had an inconsistent 2025. A strong June (15-7) pushed them to fourth place, but recent struggles have dropped them to 7th. Their offense is their strength, while pitching and defense remain areas of concern.
- Offensive Stats:
- Batting Average: .295 (1st in KBO)
- Runs per Game: 5.94 (1st)
- On-Base Percentage: .368
- Slugging Percentage: .456
- Home Runs: 134
- RBI: 648
- Pitching Stats:
- Team ERA: 4.39 (4th)
- WHIP: 1.501
- Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio: 2.00 (891 strikeouts, 445 walks)
- Runs Allowed per 9 Innings: 5.33
- Key Strengths: KIA’s offense is the league’s best, driven by power hitters like Patrick Wisdom and Na Sung-bum. They can erupt for big innings, as seen in their recent comebacks.
- Key Weaknesses: Defensive errors (117, .973 fielding percentage) and inconsistent pitching have led to losses. Their 22.0% caught stealing percentage shows risky base-running.
Lotte Giants
- 2025 Record (as of early August): 54-43, 3rd in KBO
- Team Performance: Lotte has been a surprise contender, climbing to 3rd place and eyeing their first playoff berth in seven years. Their balanced attack has kept them competitive, though pitching woes persist.
- Offensive Stats:
- Batting Average: .283 (2nd)
- Runs per Game: 5.6 (2nd)
- OBP: .351
- Slugging Percentage: .429
- Home Runs: 95
- RBI: 575
- Pitching Stats:
- Team ERA: 5.05 (8th)
- WHIP: 1.56
- Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio: 2.09 (850 strikeouts, 407 walks)
- Runs Allowed per 9 Innings: 5.5
- Key Strengths: Lotte’s offense, led by Jun-woo Jeon and Victor Reyes, is nearly as potent as KIA’s. Their recent form (3rd place) shows resilience.
- Key Weaknesses: A 5.05 ERA and 111 home runs allowed highlight pitching struggles. Their defense has also faltered, with 1,095 hits allowed.
Head-to-Head History
- Overall H2H: KIA leads slightly with 117 wins to Lotte’s 109, averaging 4.9 runs per game to Lotte’s 4.8.
- Recent H2H (Last 5 Games):
- Lotte: 3 wins, 2 losses, 4.0 runs per game
- KIA: 2 wins, 3 losses, 3.8 runs per game
- Notable Recent Game: On July 4, 2025, KIA staged a 7-5 comeback win at Gwangju, scoring five runs in the eighth inning. Kim Ho-ryung’s home run and Oh Sun-woo’s double were pivotal, while Lotte’s Park Se-woong struggled.
Pitching Matchup
- KIA Tigers: Im Gi-yeong
- Im earned the win against Lotte on July 4, showing composure against their lineup. KIA’s pitching staff, with a 4.39 ERA and 2.00 K/BB ratio, supports his ability to limit damage. His experience gives him an edge in this matchup.
- Lotte Giants: Park Se-woong
- Park, Lotte’s “Glasses Ace,” started 2025 with an 8-game win streak but has slumped, with a 4.81 ERA by late June. He broke his winless streak on June 29 but struggled against KIA in July, allowing multiple runs.
Analysis: Im Gi-yeong’s recent success against Lotte gives him the advantage over Park Se-woong, whose inconsistency could be exploited by KIA’s offense.
Key Players to Watch
- KIA Tigers:
- Patrick Wisdom (INF): With 14 HRs in 2025, Wisdom’s power can change games. He scored a key run in the July 4 win.
- Na Sung-bum (OF): A veteran with 275 career HRs and a .247 BA, Na’s clutch hitting is critical.
- Kim Ho-ryung (OF): His 410-foot homer on July 4 sparked a rally. His speed and defense add value.
- Lotte Giants:
- Jun-woo Jeon (OF): With a .283 career BA and 220 HRs, Jeon is Lotte’s offensive anchor.
- Victor Reyes (OF): Reyes’ .283 BA and outfield versatility make him a threat.
- Seung-min Go (INF): His .346 OBP sets up Lotte’s lineup for big innings.
Recent Form
- KIA Tigers: KIA’s July 4 win over Lotte was a highlight, but recent losses (e.g., to Hanwha on August 1) show inconsistency. Their offense (5.94 runs per game) remains elite, but pitching and defense need tightening.
- Lotte Giants: Lotte’s 54-43 record and a recent 11-5 win over NC Dinos show their potential. However, their 5.05 ERA and the July 4 loss to KIA expose vulnerabilities.
Game Factors
- Venue: Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium’s hitter-friendly dimensions could lead to a high-scoring game, favoring both teams’ strong offenses.
- Weather: Typical August conditions in Busan (warm, humid) should not impact play, though fatigue could factor in a long game.
- Momentum: KIA’s July 4 comeback gives them confidence, but Lotte’s home-field advantage and recent offensive outbursts keep them dangerous.
- Betting Odds: KIA is a slight favorite at 1.87, with Lotte at 2.00, and the over/under at 8 runs, suggesting a close, high-scoring game.
Prediction
KIA’s offense (.295 BA, 5.94 runs per game) outmatches Lotte’s pitching (5.05 ERA), and Im Gi-yeong’s recent edge over Park Se-woong tilts the scales. KIA’s ability to rally, as shown on July 4, and their depth with Wisdom and Na Sung-bum should overpower Lotte’s weaker bullpen. However, Lotte’s home crowd and bats like Jeon and Reyes could keep it close.Pick: KIA Tigers win, 6-4. Expect a big hit from Wisdom or Na, with Im Gi-yeong holding Lotte just enough to secure the victory in a high-scoring battle.
