This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
NC Dinos (26-11) at Kia Tigers (21-17)
Thursday, June 18th, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
LHP Chang Mo Koo (5-0, 0.75 ERA) vs RHP Drew Gagnon (3-3, 3.57 ERA)
Game Preview
The Dinos remain at the top of the standings with a league-best 26-11 mark, though their lead over the second-place Twins has shrunk to just two after they lost four of their last five games. The Tigers, on the other hand, are trending up after winning six of their last eight games, including the first two in this series. Those results have lifted them to a tie for fourth place in the standings. They'll have a tough time if they want to extend their winning run to three contests, however, as they have to face Dinos' Chang Mo Koo, who owns a remarkable 0.75 ERA in his first seven starts. The Tigers will counter with righty Drew Gagnon, who owns a 3.57 ERA and is coming off back-to-back quality starts.
Injuries
Sun Bin Kim, Tigers - 10-Day IL - Hamstring
June 10 - Kim is not dealing with a major hamstring injury, according to Tae Woo Kim of SpoTV, but he was removed from Kia's roster Wednesday, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. While Kim does not appear to be facing a long-term absence, the injury he suffered Tuesday will cost him additional time. Gyu Seong Kim will get the first chance to take over at second base.
Chang Jin Lee - Out - Back
NC Dinos (26-11) at Kia Tigers (21-17)
Thursday, June 18th, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
LHP Chang Mo Koo (5-0, 0.75 ERA) vs RHP Drew Gagnon (3-3, 3.57 ERA)
Game Preview
The Dinos remain at the top of the standings with a league-best 26-11 mark, though their lead over the second-place Twins has shrunk to just two after they lost four of their last five games. The Tigers, on the other hand, are trending up after winning six of their last eight games, including the first two in this series. Those results have lifted them to a tie for fourth place in the standings. They'll have a tough time if they want to extend their winning run to three contests, however, as they have to face Dinos' Chang Mo Koo, who owns a remarkable 0.75 ERA in his first seven starts. The Tigers will counter with righty Drew Gagnon, who owns a 3.57 ERA and is coming off back-to-back quality starts.
Injuries
Sun Bin Kim, Tigers - 10-Day IL - Hamstring
June 10 - Kim is not dealing with a major hamstring injury, according to Tae Woo Kim of SpoTV, but he was removed from Kia's roster Wednesday, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. While Kim does not appear to be facing a long-term absence, the injury he suffered Tuesday will cost him additional time. Gyu Seong Kim will get the first chance to take over at second base.
Chang Jin Lee - Out - Back
May 26 - Tigers manager Matt Williams said Tuesday that Lee (back) has resumed hitting on the field, Jin-Hee Kim of The Chosun Ilbo reports. Lee has been sidelined since February due to a recurring disc issue in his back, but he appears to have made substantial progress over the past three months. Williams noted that Lee will still have to go through full defensive drills before he's ready for game action, with the 29-year-old most likely headed for the Futures League to get some competitive at-bats under his belt. Lee handled an everyday role for Kia in the 2019 season, slashing .270/.367/.382 with six home runs and eight stolen bases across 470 plate appearances.
Ji Hyuk Ryu - Out - Hamstring
June 15 - Ryu was diagnosed with a torn left hamstring and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. Ryu suffered the injury in Sunday's game and was taken off the field on a stretcher, which certainly was not a good omen in hindsight. He will miss at least a couple weeks while he recovers and will almost certainly be out until sometime in July. Ryu has served as Kia's primary third baseman since being acquired by the club just over a week ago, but the club will now have to turn back to Joo Hwan Na and possibly another player or two.
Joon Wan Kim, Dinos - 10-Day IL - Side
June 1 - Kim felt soreness in his right side last week, according to OSEN, and was placed on the injured list. It's not clear how long Kim will be sidelined, but the Dinos' reserve outfielder has not played since May 28 and will apparently miss more time. Sung Wook Kim was added to the roster in Joon Wan Kim's place.
Jin-hyuk No, Dinos - Out - Undisclosed
June 14 - No was removed from NC's roster Sunday, according to mbn.co.kr. It's not clear why No was removed from the Dinos' entry, but he has not appeared in a game since Thursday and owns an .846 OPS on the season, so it seems likely he is dealing with some sort of injury. Chan Hyung Kim has filled in at shortstop in No's absence.
NC Dinos Expected Lineup:
SP – Chang Mo Koo
1. Min Woo Park
2. Myung Gi Lee
3. Sung Bum Na
6. Chang Min Mo
7. Suk Min Park
8. Tae Goon Kim
Kia Tigers Expected Lineup:
SP – Drew Gagnon
1. Ho Ryung Kim
4. Ji Wan Na
5. Dae In Hwang
7. Joo Hwan Na
9. Chan Ho Park
Top picks:
Chang Mo Koo, Dinos: Koo has been the league's best pitcher by a wide margin this season and represents the best captaincy option in this matchup. He costs 11 credits – which is not that much for a top player – but has posted a sizzling 0.75 ERA in seven starts this year.
Aaron Altherr, Dinos: Altherr has been one of the hottest hitters in the league this month, as he's hit safely in all but two June games while racking up four home runs, 18 RBI and a strong .327/.400/.694 slash line in 49 at-bats.
Sung Bum Na, Dinos: Na has plated runs in each of his last four contests and has gone yard four times already in June. The slugging outfielder has hit for .305 with a .989 OPS in 59 at-bats this month, racking up 15 RBI, though his 25 strikeouts are a bit of a worry.
Preston Tucker, Tigers: Tucker couldn't fit into the Dinos-based lineup selected below, but he could be an intriguing option for a Tigers-based squad for those brave enough to bet against the remarkable Koo. The slugger has hit safely in eight straight games and has posted a .414 average during that stretch.
Captaincy Options:
1. Chang Mo Koo
3. Sung Bum Na
Dream11 Team
P – Chang Mo Koo (C)
C – Tae Goon Kim
IF – Min Woo Park
IF – Chan Ho Park
OF – Aaron Altherr (VC)
OF – Sung Bum Na
OF – Woo Sung Lee
OF – Jin Sung Kang
OF – Ho Ryung Kim
