This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
Lotte Giants (43-40-1) at Samsung Lions (41-47-1)
Sunday, August 23rd, 4:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Dan Straily (7-4, 2.43 ERA) vs LHP Chae Heung Choi (6-3, 4.22 ERA)
Game Preview
The Giants remain alive in the race for a playoff berth but the standings are extremely tight, so they need to win on a consistent basis to improve their playoff chances – they've only gone 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Lions, on the other hand, are keen to bounce back after a 4-6 stretch in their past 10 contest. The pitching matchup features two talented arms, as Dan Straily will get the ball for the Giants and lefty Chae Heung Choi will get the nod for the Lions. Straily gets the nod, though, as he will be facing a weaker lineup while also proving to be one of the best pitchers in the KBO this year.
Injuries
Lotte Giants
Seung Heon Lee - 10-Day IL - Forehead
6/16 9:13 PM IST - Lee (forehead) was cleared to resume working out with the Giants on Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency reports. Lee has been on the shelf since May 17, when he was removed from his start against Hanwha after taking a line drive to the forehead. The right-hander was diagnosed with a microfracture in his forehead, but he was fortunate to avoid surgery and looks to have progressed well in his recovery over the past month. Lee expects to increase the intensity of his workouts over the next
Lotte Giants (43-40-1) at Samsung Lions (41-47-1)
Sunday, August 23rd, 4:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Dan Straily (7-4, 2.43 ERA) vs LHP Chae Heung Choi (6-3, 4.22 ERA)
Game Preview
The Giants remain alive in the race for a playoff berth but the standings are extremely tight, so they need to win on a consistent basis to improve their playoff chances – they've only gone 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Lions, on the other hand, are keen to bounce back after a 4-6 stretch in their past 10 contest. The pitching matchup features two talented arms, as Dan Straily will get the ball for the Giants and lefty Chae Heung Choi will get the nod for the Lions. Straily gets the nod, though, as he will be facing a weaker lineup while also proving to be one of the best pitchers in the KBO this year.
Injuries
Lotte Giants
Seung Heon Lee - 10-Day IL - Forehead
6/16 9:13 PM IST - Lee (forehead) was cleared to resume working out with the Giants on Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency reports. Lee has been on the shelf since May 17, when he was removed from his start against Hanwha after taking a line drive to the forehead. The right-hander was diagnosed with a microfracture in his forehead, but he was fortunate to avoid surgery and looks to have progressed well in his recovery over the past month. Lee expects to increase the intensity of his workouts over the next several days, but it's uncertain when or if he'll return to the Giants' active roster. The Giants no longer have an opening in the rotation for Lee with Adrian Sampson having since rejoined the team in May after completing his quarantine upon returning from North America.
Ah Seop Son - Day-To-Day - Hamstring
8/21 3:12 PM IST - Son is not in Friday's lineup against Doosan, according to mydaily.co.kr. The outfielder will miss a start Friday with slight hamstring pain. Son exited Thursday's game because of said injury, but he remains available off the bench. Jae Yoo Kim will start at right field Friday.
Samsung Lions
Jung Hyun Baek - Out - Elbow
7/23 1:53 AM IST - Samsung removed Baek from its active roster Wednesday due to a left elbow sprain, Hyun-Seok Jeong of The Chosun Ilbo reports. The southpaw picked up the injury coming out of his start Tuesday, during which he surrendered five runs on nine hits over 5.1 innings. Seong Hwan Yoon is expected to assume Baek's spot in the rotation.
Young Jin Choi - Out - Ankle
7/28 2:51 AM IST - Choi will miss about six weeks with an ankle injury, according to chosun.com. Choi was diagnosed with ligament damage after leaving Sunday's game with the injury, and he is now facing an extended absence. Choi has been one of the Lions' top hitters against lefties this season, but the team will need to turn elsewhere against southpaws until he is ready to return.
Yoon Dong Heo - Out - Not Injury Related
7/17 8:44 PM IST - Heo was removed from the Lions' roster on Friday, according to the team's official Twitter account. Heo started for the Lions for nearly the past two months, but with Ben Lively returning to action he will be bumped from the rotation -- and the roster altogether. The 19-year-old Heo held his own at the top level, so he should garner consideration next time the Lions need to add a starter to the roster.
Sang Su Kim - 10-Day IL - Leg
8/3 10:13 PM IST - Kim was placed on the injured list Monday with a left leg injury, according to hankyung.com. Kim was slowed by the injury last week and apparently was not showing the progress the team hoped, so the Lions decided to give him extra time to heal and free up his roster spot. Ji Chan Kim is in line to serve as Samsung's top second baseman until Kim returns.
Won Seok Lee - Day-To-Day - Leg
8/20 3:59 PM IST - Lee is not in Thursday's lineup against SK due to a leg injury, Sung Yoon Park of SPOTV reports. The 33-year-old was left out of Samsung's starting nine after feeling discomfort during practice. Gye Beom Park will start at third base Thursday while Lee tries to get healthy.
Seong Ho Noh - Out - Elbow
8/2 11:57 PM IST - Noh was removed from the Lions' roster Sunday due to a sore elbow, according to chosun.com. It's not clear how long Noh will be sidelined, but he will miss at least a few games. He has been one of Samsung's most effective relievers this season, posting a 2.66 ERA over 25 appearances.
Daniel Palka - Out - Not Injury Related
8/19 10:10 PM IST - Palka is on track to make his KBO debut Sunday against the Giants, Daniel Kim of DKTV reports. Palka completed his 14-day quarantine period and began baseball activities Wednesday. He will see action for Samsung's Futures League team this week, and barring any setbacks, will take the field this weekend. Palka figures to play regularly in the Lions' outfield once he's officially added to the roster.
Samsung Lions Expected Lineup
SP - Chae Heung Choi
1. Hae Min Park
2. Ja Wook Koo
4. Won Seok Lee
5. Heon Gon Kim
6. Min Ho Kang
7. Hak Ju Lee
8. Ji Chan Kim
9. Sung Gyu Lee
Lotte Giants Expected Lineup
SP - Dan Straily
1. Hoon Jung
2. Ah Seop Son
3. Jun Woo Jeon
4. Dae Ho Lee
5. Dong Hee Han
7. Chi Hong An
9. Joon Tae Kim
Top Picks From Each Team
Dae Ho Lee, Giants: Lee went 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Saturday's win over the Lions. He had accumulated just two hits in his last five games, but he bounced back in a big way Saturday. The veteran slugger continues to be one of the most dangerous bats in the league despite hitting only .238 with a .566 OPS this month. Even with the recent struggles, he's a strong bet for a captaincy role.
Dong Yeop Kim, Lions: Kim's playing time has been inconsistent over the last few weeks, but he's been able to start 10 of the Lions' last 11 games – he has racked up hits in eight of those contests. He is slashing .406/.444/.750 with a 1.194 OPS during that stretch.
Captaincy Options
Dream11 Team
P – Dan Straily (VC)
C – Joon Tae Kim
IF – Dae Ho Lee (C)
IF – Chi Hong An
OF – Dong Yeop Kim
OF – Hae Min Park
OF – Daniel Palka
OF – Byung Hun Min
OF – Seong Gon Lee
