Since I’m late with these anyway, to the extent that this week’s games are happening as I type this, I’m going to make this an abbreviated version. I was able to take in a couple KBO games while I was in Seoul. The first was last Wednesday’s LG/Hanwha game at Jamsil. The Twins led the entire game and got a solid outing my Jamie Brown who gave up just a run through 6 1/3, but ended up losing after a debacle of a ninth inning that saw Hanwha score six runs to go up 8-4.

The weather was terrible and we sought refuge inside the stadium lounge area, where some of the LG brass happened to be watching the game. It was kind of funny to be sitting there in the room as the Twins melted down on the TV screen. I bet the Twins manager got an earful from someone.

The next night we went to Inchon to see SK beat Lotte in a well-played 2-1 contest. The SK stadium, Munhak Baseball Stadium, is basically MLB level. A nice spot except –again– it was freezing. They also have a Bennigan’s, which, I mention as a point of interest. Not a recommendation. Still, compared to the food choices at most KBO stadiums, it was a revelation.

MLB teams don’t really scout the KBO. In fact, there’s never been a KBO player signed by an MLB team. That’s not to say it’ll never happen. But like Japan, Korea has a minimum service requirement of nine years. The difference being there’s no posting system. I’d be surprised if there was one anytime in the near future.

Mostly we went to the games so get me some familiarity with the Cubs grading process. It’s a different way of watching a game for certain.

1. SK Wyverns (1) – The Wyverns have now won six straight and 11 of 12. While in a taxi I floated the idea of SK being the best professional team in Asia to a driver. He thought I was nuts, but after the idea gesticulated for a minute he sure liked it. That’s not to say he believed me.

SK plays Hanwha, who is suddenly red hot, early in the week and then gets Woori over the weekend.

2. Lotte Giants (2) – Lotte is still in second, but had a terrible week that concluded Sunday with a 17-3 shellacking at the hands of Samsung. Still, the Giants were in each of the other games, and I don’t think this is any sign of a big regression. Help is on the way in the form of an early series with LG and a weekend tip with Kia.

3. Samsung Lions (3) – Were 3-3 last week including the drubbing of the Giants mentioned above. Jin Kap-yeong caught fire, going six for nine (with four walks) versus the Giants, on the way to hitting a cool .667 for the week. The Lions may be emerging from its recent mini-slump.

4. Doosan Bears (4) – Played a very close series with Hanwha over the weekend, losing two of three games — each decided by one run. I keep waiting for this team to take off a little and it could happen this week with series against Kia and then LG.

5. Hanwha Eagles (6) – I have to admit I’m getting impressed. The Eagles have won six of seven and are currently in 3rd place with a 14-12 record. Doug Clark still leads the league in homers with eight, and two of the three guys tied with seven, Kim Tae-kyun and Kim Tae-won, also play for Hanwha.

6. LG Giants (7) – It’s a real challenge to rank these bottom three teams. LG is pretty terrible and undeserving of moving up a slot, but I have no choice. Chris Oxspring has taken the win in four of the team’s 11 victories, but outside of that mild bright spot there hasn’t been much to get excited about.

7. Woori Heroes (6) – Have lost four straight series, including one to Kia this past week. However, one thing worth noting is the pitching of Jang Won-sam and Wang Do-sung, who are both keeping opposing hitters under the Mendoza line. The team also gets the first crack at Kim Byung-hyun, who is reportedly in Seoul, debating if he wants to play in the KBO or not.

8. Kia Tigers (8) – Were swept by SK over the weekend, but weren’t embarrassed. Won its first series from Woori in the early frame. Could be a start. Seo Jae-weong has won his last two starts and the team is scoring some runs. A slight move upward could be in the works.