Baseball is back - KBO style
Baseball returns on ESPN this week starting on May 5 in the form of the KBO. The Korean Baseball Organization decided on April 21 that they will begin play of their 144 game regular season on May 5. They began preseason in empty stadiums. The league had scheduled to begin on March 28, but they were shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic worsening.
The KBO will play the schedule in full, but if a player or coach in infected with COVID-19, the league will be shut down for at least three weeks. At the moment, the league will be played with no fans.
Unlike Major League Baseball, which has 30 teams, the KBO overs 10 active teams. The Doosan Bears, Kia Tigers, LG Twins, Lotte Giants and Samsung Lions are the oldest clubs, having been established in 1982. The Bears won the 2019 Korean Series, which was their third title in five years. The Kia Tigers have won a record 11 titles, with their last coming in 2017.
ESPN will televise the games starting Tuesday. They will air on ESPN at 1amET on Tuesday. Other games will air on ESPN2 at 5:3amET from Thesuday through Fridays, 4amET on Saturday and 1amET on Sunday.
There are many fringe major league and former minor league players in the KBO. Pitcher Dan Straily is probably the best known and one of the most experienced players (44-40 record in MLB).
Money lines and run lines are up already on many books including Points Bet.