This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
Samsung Lions (19-22) at Kia Tigers (23-17)
Sunday, June 21st, 4:00 AM EDT
Projected starters
LHP Jung Hyun Baek (1-3, 6.48 ERA) vs LHP Hyun Jong Yang (5-2, 3.89 ERA)
Game Preview
The Lions currently sit in seventh place with a 19-22 record and have been trending in the wrong direction of late, as they head into Sunday's contest on a three-game losing streak following Saturday's 6-3 loss. The Tigers will be looking for the sweep after winning four straight games and eight of their last 10 contests. The Tigers will send one of their top pitchers, Hyun Jong Yang, to the mound, and the Lions will counter with Jung Hyun Baek in battle of lefties. Yang already faced the Lions once and allowed two runs in six innings, while Baek struggled against the Tigers, allowing eight runs (four earned) in four innings in his lone previous appearance against them this year.
Injuries
Sun Bin Kim, Tigers - 10-Day IL - Hamstring
June 18 - Manager Matt Williams said Thursday that Kim is still feeling soreness in his injured hamstring, according to chosun.com. The Tigers are taking the cautious route with Kim's recovery, but he did not suffer any structural damage and according to Williams, will be able to rejoin the lineup "as soon as he feels better." As such, it does not appear he will be sidelined much longer.
Chang Jin Lee, Tigers - Out - Back
May 26 - Tigers manager Matt Williams said Tuesday
Samsung Lions (19-22) at Kia Tigers (23-17)
Sunday, June 21st, 4:00 AM EDT
Projected starters
LHP Jung Hyun Baek (1-3, 6.48 ERA) vs LHP Hyun Jong Yang (5-2, 3.89 ERA)
Game Preview
The Lions currently sit in seventh place with a 19-22 record and have been trending in the wrong direction of late, as they head into Sunday's contest on a three-game losing streak following Saturday's 6-3 loss. The Tigers will be looking for the sweep after winning four straight games and eight of their last 10 contests. The Tigers will send one of their top pitchers, Hyun Jong Yang, to the mound, and the Lions will counter with Jung Hyun Baek in battle of lefties. Yang already faced the Lions once and allowed two runs in six innings, while Baek struggled against the Tigers, allowing eight runs (four earned) in four innings in his lone previous appearance against them this year.
Injuries
Sun Bin Kim, Tigers - 10-Day IL - Hamstring
June 18 - Manager Matt Williams said Thursday that Kim is still feeling soreness in his injured hamstring, according to chosun.com. The Tigers are taking the cautious route with Kim's recovery, but he did not suffer any structural damage and according to Williams, will be able to rejoin the lineup "as soon as he feels better." As such, it does not appear he will be sidelined much longer.
Chang Jin Lee, Tigers - 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, Tigers - Out - Hamstring
June 19 - The Tigers are bracing for Ryu to miss at least two months after he suffered a torn left hamstring Sunday, Jin-Hoe Kim of The Chosun Ilbo reports. Though a clearer timeline will emerge for Ryu once he's re-evaluated at the end of the month, the Tigers apparently aren't banking on the infielder getting the green light from doctors to resume training right away following his checkup. With Ryu's absence seemingly on track to extend through mid-August, Joo Hwan Na could be in store for a lengthy run as the Tigers' everyday third baseman.
Min Ho Kang, Lions - Out - Side
June 18 - Kang is dealing with side soreness and was removed from Samsung's roster Thursday, according to chosun.com. Kang played sparingly the last few days and is still feeling discomfort, so the Lions decided to drop him from the roster for the time being. Eung Min Kim is getting the first chance to replace Yang, but he has posted just a .361 OPS this season, so Min Soo Kim could also see some action in Kang's absence.
Samsung Lions Expected Lineup:
SP - Jung Hyun Baek
1. Sang Su Kim
2. Ja Wook Koo
4. Won Seok Lee
5. Hak Ju Lee
6. Heon Gon Kim
8. Eung Min Kim
9. Hae Min Park
Kia Tigers Expected Lineup:
SP - Hyun Jong Yang
1. Ho Ryung Kim
4. Ji Wan Na
5. Joo Chan Kim
7. Joo Hwan Na
9. Chan Ho Park
Top picks:
Preston Tucker, Tigers: Tucker has been one of the hottest bats in the KBO during the month of June and seems to have taken a step forward since Sun Bin Kim has been sidelined with a hamstring problem. The power-hitting outfielder is in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, posting a .472/.568/.833 slash line. He's gone 11-of-17 with three homers and 10 RBI against the Lions this season.
Hyun Jong Yang, Tigers: Yang will get the start for the Tigers and should be in line for a strong performance against a Lions lineup that sits near the bottom of the league in most offensive metrics. He allowed two runs across six innings in his previous start against the Lions earlier this season and struck 10 batters his last time out against the Wyverns.
Chan Ho Park, Tigers: Park might be hitting at the bottom of the order for the Tigers, but he has been productive of late. He went through a 1-for-32 slump earlier this month, but he has bounced back this week. He's riding a four-game hitting streak with three multi-hit performances during that stretch.
Tyler Saladino, Lions: Saladino is one of the most expensive players in the slate and could be a strong option for those want to build a Lions-based lineup. He endured a slow start to the season but has been turning things around of late, hitting safely in four of the team's last six games and .320/.493/.600 overall during the month June.
Captaincy Options:
3. Chan Ho Park
Dream11 Team
P – Hyun Jong Yang (VC)
C – Seung Taek Han
IF – Chan Ho Park
IF – Sung Pyo Kim
IF – Ji Chan Kim
OF – Preston Tucker (C)
OF – Chan Do Park
OF – Hyung Woo Choi
OF – Ho Ryung Kim
