2012.4.13 Weekend Picks

KBO

* Kia Tigers (1-2) at LG Twins (2-1)

* Jamsil Stadium, Seoul

* Tonight 6:30 p.m, Saturday 5 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m.

Two teams that appointed new managers for this season will square off this weekend. The Tigers have brought up legendary pitcher Sun Dong-yol, while the Twins promoted chief assistant coach Kim Ki-tae as their new leader.

The Twins, who lost two starting pitchers due to match-fixing, were thought to have a pitching problem. But so far Kim has efficiently managed his pitchers. Last year’s starting pitcher Radhames Liz of the Dominican Republic successfully converted himself as a closer.

The Tigers are currently suffering from injuries. Core batters Kim Sang-hyun and Lee Bum-ho and pitchers Yang Hyun-jong, Kim Jin-woo, Son Young-min and Horacio Ramirez are all out due to injury.

The Gwangju-based team has big hopes for former Major League Baseball slugger Choi Hee-seop to lead their attack.

* Hanwha Eagles (0-3) at SK Wyverns (3-0)

* Munhak Stadium, Incheon

* Tonight 6:30 p.m, Saturday 5 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m.

The Eagles started pitcher Park Chan-ho, who holds the most wins by an Asian pitcher in the MLB, against the Doosan Bears to turn the tables yesterday, but this weekend’s match will be more critical for them.

The Eagles have lefty ace Ryu Hyun-jin on the mound and slugger Kim Tae-gyun at bat, but other players also need to step up to help out these star players.

The Wyverns, the runner-up last year, lost starting pitchers Kim Kwang-hyun and Song Eun-beom but so far are having a good start to the season.

The team has improved their defense and base running under the guidance of manager Lee Man-soo.

K-League

* Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (2-1-4) at Daejeon FC (1-0-6)

* Daejeon World Cup Stadium, Daejeon

* Saturday 3 p.m.

Daejeon collected its first win of the season on Wednesday after beating Sangju Sangmu FC 2-1. The team managed by 2002 World Cup star Yoo Sang-chul will look to get its second straight victory at home and climb up the table.

Daejeon midfielder Kim Hyeung-bum, nicknamed the “free kick specialist,” led the team’s first victory with two assists and is expected to perform well again. But the team needs to support Belgian attacker Kevin Julienne Henricus and Namgung Do.

Seongnam, a possible title contender this season, is having a sluggish start. The team has national team members Yoon Bitgaram and Han Sang-wun, as well as Vladimir Jovancic, but so far sits at 12th place.