The NC Dinos are in the midst of their worst slump of the 2020 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season, and their hold on first place is slipping away as a result. NC has lost five of its last seven contests after dropping a 7-6 decision to the Kia Tigers on Wednesday, which - coupled with LG's triumph over the Hanwha Eagles - shrunk its lead over the Twins to just two games. The Dinos look to avoid being swept for the first time this year when they visit the Tigers for one of five series finales that begin at 5:30 a.m. ET on Thursday. NC fell behind by four runs early on Wednesday but battled back to take the lead in the seventh inning, only to hand it right back in the bottom half of the frame.

The latest KBO odds list the Dinos as the -157 favorites (risk $157 to return $100) against the Tigers, the Twins at -285 against the Eagles, the KT Wiz at -149 against the SK Wyverns, the Lotte Giants at -117 against the Kiwoom Heroes and the Doosan Bears at -209 against the Samsung Lions. Before locking in any KBO picks for Thursday's games, be sure to see the Korean baseball best bets from SportsLine data engineer Mike McClure.

Recognized in the book "Fantasy Football (and Baseball) for Smart People: How to Turn your hobby into a Fortune" as a top Daily Fantasy Baseball Player, McClure has won almost $2 million in daily Fantasy sports. And in 2016, McClure launched the wOBA Projection Model for MLB picks, which has returned $2,300 to $100 bettors. 

Now, he's turned his attention to the KBO and locked in three strong picks for Thursday. Parlaying his three selections would pay out more than 6-1. You can only see them here. 

Top Korean Baseball predictions for June 18

One of McClure's top KBO picks for Thursday: He's backing the Dinos (-157) to salvage the finale of their three-game series against the Tigers.

NC has lost back-to-back series for the first time this season but will be turning to its ace on Thursday to help stop the bleeding. Koo Chang-mo, who will be making his eighth start of the year, leads the KBO in ERA (0.75) as he has allowed a mere four earned runs over 48 innings and also tops the league with a 0.69 WHIP. Some of the Dinos have not let the team's swoon affect them at the plate as Lee Myung-gi brings a 13-game hitting streak into Thursday's contest while Kang Jin-sung enters with a league-leading .439 batting average.

"The Dinos offer nice value as road favorites," McClure told SportsLine. "Former New York Mets right-hander Drew Gagnon is a solid KBO pitcher, but the Dinos simply are too strong a team."

How to make KBO picks for June 18

McClure has found value on two other picks, including one money line he says is way off. Be sure to see what he's picking over at SportsLine before making any Korea baseball picks.

So which 2020 KBO picks should you make on Thursday for a chance at a payout of more than 6-1? And which money line does McClure believe is way off? See Thursday's KBO schedule and odds below, then visit SportsLine to get KBO best bets, all from the data engineer who has crushed his baseball picks, and find out. 

Thursday Korea Baseball schedule, odds (via William Hill)

(all times Eastern)

KT Wiz at SK Wyverns (+126), 5:30 a.m.
LG Twins at Hanwha Eagles (+230), 5:30 a.m.
Lotte Giants at Kiwoom Heroes (-105), 5:30 a.m.
NC Dinos at Kia Tigers (+133), 5:30 a.m.
Samsung Lions at Doosan Bears (-209), 5:30 a.m.