Lions challenge Dinos to maintain league position

Defending champions and league leaders Samsung Lions have wrapped up August with a 15-9 record, but the No. 2 NC Dinos performed better last month, finishing 19-5. Now, there is only a 1.5-game difference between both teams.

But there is no time to take it easy as they go head-to-head on Tuesday and Wednesday when the Lions travel to Changwon, South Gyeongsang, to meet the Dinos. The Lions are 8-5 against the Dinos this season, but if they lose both games, they will switch league standings for the first time since July 16.

After the critical two games, the Lions will meet the SK Wyverns in Incheon before hosting the Kia Tigers on the weekend.

The Dinos will clash against the No. 3 Doosan Bears on Thursday and Friday and face the bottom-of-the-league KT Wiz.

Despite going 2-3 last week, the Hanwha Eagles stayed at their fifth position from the Kia Tigers who are suffering a five-game losing streak. They will also meet Tuesday and Wednesday in Cheongju, North Chungcheong, the Eagles’ secondary hometown. Kia is 7-5 against the Eagles this season.

But even if the Eagles defend their standings against the Tigers, they have a tough schedule this week as they meet the No. 4 Nexen Heroes and the No. 3 Bears. The Heroes are 7-4 against the Eagles, while the Bears are 8-4.

The KBO rookie club KT Wiz looks to continue its August performance. The Suwon-based Wiz was 14-11, topping in batting average (.311), home runs (39) and runs scored (169) last month.

BY JOO KYUNG-DON [joo.kyungdon@joongang.co.kr]