With the odd week due to the Children’s Day holiday on Monday I waited an extra 24-hours to unleash this week’s rankings. As I’m writing this Ryu Hyun-jin has just walked in the tying run against Lotte. Surprisingly, the batter he walked, Kang Min-ho, is .326 career against arguably the best pitcher in the league.

FYI the KBO was been airing more games live over the Internet this season via Naver.com. I don’t quite understand how they decide what games will be on and when, but they’ve all been available over the past four days, including tonight’s games. Here’s the link.

1. SK Wyverns (1)– Lost it’s first series since Week 1 in dropping two of three to Woori over the weekend. Still, nothing to worry about here. One difference from last year to this year is that SK is running more. They’ve taken the league lead in SBs away from Doosan. Jung Gun-woo (13) and Park Jae-sang (12) both already have more than half of their 2007 totals. Choi Jung (7) is one away from his 2007 total.

Should roll over LG to start the week, then take on Samsung this weekend.

2. Lotte Giants (2)– Took two of three from LG and then had a rain shortened 1-1 split with Kia. At this point the pitching has to be a concern. Four of the team’s starting five pitchers is giving up over a hit per inning with only No. 5 Lee Yeong-hoon (0-3 on the year) under that mark. Throw in an unreliable closer in Lim Kyeong-won (5 saves, 4.38 ERA/1.46 WHIP) and you have no choice but to outscore teams every night.  

Netted it’s league-leading fourth rainout on Sunday vs. Kia. Took two of three from LG and then had a rain shortened 1-1 split with Kia. Play Hanwha and Doosan.

3. Doosan Bears (4)– Take over third with another nice week. The Bears who have won five straight and outscored LG 28-9 over the weekend. Kim Dong-ju (.667 OBP) finally started his 2008 campaign and Lee Cheong-wook (.632 OBP, 7 RBI) had a great week. Play Woori early and then take on Lotte in Seoul this weekend.

4. Samsung Lions (3)– Not about to run away with anything, but I like the way this team is starting. The team leads the league in strikeouts (204) and are second in walks surrendered (94). The Lions also lead the league in fielding with just 11 errors committed. Wes Obermueller looks to be a legit top starter. He’s only 3-2 and his ERA isn’t great at 4.26, but he’s only walked six in 31 2/3 innings. Last week took two of three from both Woori and Hanwha. Play Kia early and then take on SK at home.

5. Hanwha Eagles (5) –Kind of a come down week for the Eagles, losing two to both SK and Samsung. The tough stretch continues with Lotte early, but then LG comes to Daejeon on the weekend in what should be fun and sun for Daegeonites.

Doug Clark stole four bases and now has 11 on the year. He still leads the league in HRs (9), slugging (.648), OPS (1.060), and is tied for the league lead in triples (3). Hard to say he’s not the KBO offensive MVP for April.

6. Woori Heroes (7) –Where did this pitching come from? The Heroes now have three shutouts in just two weeks. Took two of three from SK, holding the Wyvrens to just four total runs during the series. Will get a good test this week, starting with the hottest team in the league, followed by a series with Kia, who is looking better.
I wonder what will happen if Kim Byung-hyun decides to play for this team. He’s already been selected by the Heroes in the supplemental draft. It’s just a matter of whether he wants to play or not.

7. LG Twins (6)– Could be the league’s worst team. Three of the team’s starting five boasts ERAs over seven and the bullpen is nothing to get excited about either. Did I mention the Twins have the league’s worst offense? Rough start to the week with SK, then play Hanwha.

8. Kia Tigers (8)– Blew another big lead last Wednesday against Doosan. Choi Hee-seop went on a another tear, but this time in the wrong direction going 0 for 13 on the week and sending his BA back under .200. The Tigers get Samsung then Woori in Seoul. The Tigers are a dismal 3-14 away from Gwangju this year.