Dream11 Fantasy KBO: Heroes at Dinos

Kiwoom Heroes (52-35) at NC Dinos (48-30-2)

Tuesday, August 18th, 5:30 AM EDT

Projected Starters

RHP Hyun Hee Han (6-5, 5.63 ERA) vs RHP Drew Rucinski (11-2, 2.88 ERA)

Game Preview

The Heroes lead the league in wins with 52, but the Dinos sit at the top of the standings due to their superior winning percentage (.615 over .598). Either way, these two teams have been the top squads in the KBO during the current campaign and this three-game series might be pivotal on deciding which team will get the first seed come playoff time. With that in mind, the pitching matchup in this game could be pivotal and the Dinos have the advantage, since they will send Drew Rucinski and his 2.88 ERA to the mound. The Heroes will counter with Hyun Hee Han, who has pitched to the tune of an inflated 5.63 ERA in 2020.

Injuries

Kiwoom Heroes

Eric Jokisch - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/10 4:16 PM IST - Jokisch was placed on the injured list Monday with a left shoulder injury, per mydaily.co.kr. The southpaw reportedly complained of discomfort after completing six innings in Saturday's game against LG. Jokisch underwent an MRI, which revealed a bruise near his left shoulder. He is most likely to miss Friday's scheduled start against Lotte and return at some point next week.

Tae Hoon Kim - Out - Undisclosed

8/6 9:52 PM IST - Kim will miss a couple weeks with a midsection injury, Su Jin Park of Star News reports. Kim has been one of the Heroes' top relieves this season, but Kiwoom will be without his services until he puts the injury behind him.

Byung Wook Lim - 10-Day IL - Hamstring

7/22 2:22 AM IST - Lim is still dealing with inflammation in his right hamstring and remains without a clear timeline to rejoin the Heroes' active roster, Soo-Jin Park of the Money Today Star News reports. When Lim went down with the injury in the second game of a doubleheader with the Twins on May 16, the Heroes projected him to miss 6-to-8 weeks. That timeline was evidently too conservative, as the outfielder is not yet ready to even begin a rehab assignment in the Futures League some two months later. Prior to going down with the injury, Lim had appeared in 11 games for the Heroes, hitting .278 with three stolen bases and six RBI.

Sung Hyun Moon - Out - Elbow

7/31 3:15 AM IST - Moon hasn't pitched for the Heroes since July 16 due to inflammation in his right elbow, Soo-jin Park of the Money Today Star News reports. Moon is expected to rest up for a few more days before starting a throwing program. The 29-year-old is expected to fill a bullpen role for the Heroes once healthy after posting a 4.20 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 13:11 K:BB over 15 innings prior to being shut down.

Dong Won Park - 10-Day IL - Back

8/11 2:39 PM IST - Park was placed on the injured list Tuesday with a back injury, Kyung Yoon Kim of the Yonhap News Agency reports. The catcher is entering Kiwoom's IL for the second time in 30 days. Park recently missed a handful of starts without explanation and his back injury may explain why that has been the case. He is currently batting .277 across 67 games.

Byung Ho Park - 10-Day IL - Back

8/14 3:07 PM IST - Park was placed on the injured list Friday with back pain, per mediapen.com. The former league MVP exited Thursday's game against Hanwha early due to the injury. Park currently has three home runs and eight RBI in August. Kiwoom promoted backup infielder Joo Hyung Kim to take Park's place.

NC Dinos

Jin Sung Kang - Out - Thumb

8/7 11:04 PM IST - Kang (thumb) was removed from the Dinos' roster Friday, according to Su Jin Park of Star News. Kang was presumably placed on the injured list after leaving Thursday's contest with the thumb injury. The extent of his injury is uncertain, so it remains to be seen how long he will be sidelined.

Chang Mo Koo - 10-Day IL - Forearm

8/10 10:25 PM IST - Koo is dealing with soreness in his left forearm, and a date for his return to the mound has not been established, according to chosun.com. Koo landed on the injured list in late July, and it initially appeared he was simply getting extra rest between starts. However, he was diagnosed with inflammation in his pitching arm shortly thereafter and has not thrown since. It seems the Dinos are taking the cautious route with their stellar young pitcher, and they figure to continue doing so. As such, it remains to be seen when he will make his next start for NC's top club.

Min Woo Park - 10-Day IL - Hamstring

8/12 10:43 PM IST - Park (hamstring) resumed training Wednesday, Ik Rae Choi of the Dong-A Ilbo reports. Park got his first work in since landing on the injured list last week, doing some light running and hitting off a tee. While it is evident he is making progress, he still has a few steps to go in his recovery.

NC Dinos Expected Lineup

SP - Drew Rucinski

1. Myung Gi Lee

2. Sung Bum Na

3. Aaron Altherr

4. Eui Ji Yang

5. Suk Min Park

6. Chang Min Mo

7. Jin Hyuk No

8. Hee Dong Kwon

9. Suk Hoon Ji

Kiwoom Heroes Expected Lineup

SP - Hyun Hee Han

1. Keon Chang Seo

2. Ha Seong Kim

3. Jung Hoo Lee

4. Addison Russell

5. Woong Bin Kim

6. Jeong Hyeop Heo

7. Ji Young Lee

8. Hye Sung Kim

9. Joon Tae Park

Top Picks From Each Team

Sung Bum Na, Dinos: Na has gone deep just twice this season, but the slugger is hitting .326 with a 1.023 OPS, eight RBI, four doubles, one triple and 10 runs scored in 11 August games. He also has 20 home runs this season, making him a worthy captaincy alternative.

Jung Hoo Lee, Heroes: Lee has hit safely in all but one of his games during the current month, and the veteran slugger is slashing .393/.453/.589 with a 1.042 OPS and 13 RBI in 56 at-bats this month. He has been a top offensive threat all season long.

Captaincy Options

1. Sung Bum Na
2. Jung Hoo Lee
3. Aaron Altherr
4. Addison Russell

Dream11 Team

P – Drew Rucinski

C – Tae Goon Kim

IF – Addison Russell

IF – Ha Seong Kim

IF – Byeong Hwi Kim

OF – Aaron Altherr

OF – Sung Bum Na (C)

OF – Jung Hoo Lee (VC)

OF – Myung Gi Lee