Dream11 Fantasy KBO: Giants at Tigers

Lotte Giants (7-5) vs Kia Tigers (6-7)

Wednesday, May 20, 5:30 AM EDT

Projected starters

RHP Dan Straily (1-1, 2.12 ERA) vs RHP Drew Gagnon (0-2, 6.10 ERA)

Game Preview

The Giants' strong start to the season has quickly vanished, as they enter this matchup against the Tigers having lost two straight and four of their last five following Tuesday's 9-2 defeat. That result was the Tigers' second win in three games, so it's safe to say both teams enter Wednesday's contest with different momentum. The Giants will send their best pitcher, Dan Straily, to the mound Wednesday while the Giants will counter with Drew Gagnon. In this battle of former MLB arms, it's Straily who has the edge thanks to a 2.12 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and four earned runs across 17 innings of work. Gagnon, on the other hand, has posted a 6.10 ERA after allowing eight runs (seven earned) in just 10.1 innings.

Injuries

Young Seok Jang – Tigers – Out – Not Injury Related

May 17 - Jang was removed from KIA's first-group entry Saturday, according to OSEN. Jang joined KIA over the offseason after appearing in a career-high 119 games with Kiwoom a year a go, but he posted just a .470 OPS through his new team's first 10 games, so he was moved to the club's second-team roster for the time being.

Joo Chan Kim – Tigers – Out – Thigh

May 17 - Kim (thigh) has resumed playing in Futures League games, according to chosun.com. Kim underwent surgery on his thigh last December and needed at least four months to recover, per ohmynews.com, but he is nearing the end of the process. The 39-year-old's OPS fell nearly 200 points last year from the year before, but whenever he is deemed ready to play, he will at least give manager Matt Williams another trusted hitter on the roster.

Hoon Jeong – Giants – Out – Abdomen

May 18 - Lotte announced Monday that Jeong would be sidelined for at least four weeks due to a ruptured left abdominal muscle, Sang-Kyung Park of The Chosun Ilbo reports. Jeong didn't appear in either of the Giants' past two games, and the injury now looks to be the cause of both of those absences. He'll undergo regular treatment and rehab until at least mid-June before the Giants determine when he'll be ready to return to game action. Jeong had primarily served as a designated hitter for Lotte this season, batting .367 with a home run, two doubles and seven RBI through eight games.

Seung Heon Lee – Giants – Out – Forehead

May 18 - Lee relayed Monday that he believes he'll avoid surgery after he was diagnosed with a microfracture of his forehead following his removal from Sunday's 9-4 loss to the Eagles, Sang-Kyung Park of The Chosun Ilbo reports. Making his season debut for Lotte, Lee was pulled in the third inning after being struck in the head by a comebacker. He was quickly sent to a hospital to address the injury, and the 21-year-old is optimistic that he'll avoid a long-term absence. Lee acknowledged that he'll undergo an additional evaluation later Monday and is expected to remain hospitalized for about 5-to-7 days before a potential timeline for his return is established. The Giants are expected to return Adrian Sampson (personal) to the rotation later this week or early next week, so Lee wasn't expected to continue making regular starts for Lotte beyond his turn Sunday.

Adrian Sampson – Giants – Day-To-Day – Personal

May 19 - Sampson's mandatory quarantine is scheduled to be lifted later this week, according to chosun.com. Sampson was isolated the last couple weeks after returning to Korea from the United States, but if all goes as planned in the coming days, his quarantine will be lifted Thursday, May 21. The report indicates he could spend some time with Lotte's Futures League team before rejoining the top squad, but it also indicates he could be ready to join Lotte's starting rotation at some point next week.

Lotte Giants Expected Lineup:

SP - Dan Straily

1. Byung Heon Min

2. Joon Woo Jeon

3. Ah Seop Son

4. Dae-Ho Lee

5. Chi Hong Ahn

6. Dixon Machado

7. Dong Hee Han

8. Il Heo

9. Bo Geun Jung

Kia Tigers Expected Lineup:

SP - Drew Gagnon

1. Chan Ho Park

2. Sun Bin Kim

3. Preston Tucker

4. Hyoung Woo Choi

5. Ji Wan Na

6. Won Joon Choi

7. Yoon Ho Hwang

8. Min Sang Yoo

9. Seung Taek Han

Top picks:

Preston Tucker, Tigers: Tucker has been almost unstoppable this season, posting video-game like numbers. Through his first 51 plate appearances, the 29-year-old outfielder owns a .444/.510/.911 slash line to go along with five home runs and 20 RBI. He's struck out in just 6.7 percent of his at-bats.

Dan Straily, Giants: Straily has been one of the best pitchers in the KBO this season, posting a 2.12 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP through his first 17 innings of work. He's struck out 19 batters while allowing just one home run, meaning he's limiting the damage every time he's on the mound.

Ah Seop Son, Giants: Son might have just one home run this season, but he routinely gets on base thanks to an impressive eye that's helped him walk 10 times while striking out on just three occasions. He's made good contact when he does see a pitch worth swinging at, posting an impressive .405/.532/.541 slash line through his first 49 plate appearances.

Chi Hong Ahn, Giants: Ahn has delivered a .267/.340/.400 slash line through his first 50 plate appearances, hitting safely in seven of his last nine contests. He has one home run and eight RBI during that nine-game span while getting on base at a .375 clip.

Captaincy Options:

1. Preston Tucker

2. Dan Straily

3. Ah Seop Son

Dream11 Team

P – Dan Straily (VC)

C – Bo Geun Jung

IF – Chi Hong Ahn

IF – Yoon Ho Hwang

IF – Sun Bin Kim

OF – Preston Tucker (C)

OF – Ah Seop Son

OF – Il Heo

OF – Hyoung Woo Choi