This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
Kia Tigers (23-19) at Lotte Giants (21-21)
Thursday, June 24th, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Drew Gagnon (3-3, 3.94 ERA) vs RHP Se Woong Park (1-4, 6.08 ERA)
Game Preview
The Tigers enter Thursday's action with a 23-19 record while the Giants are 21-21, although it's worth noting these records will be different at the time of the first pitch for his contest, as this will be the second game of a doubleheader thanks to Wednesday's rainout. Ahead of this two-game set, the Tigers seem to have the edge due to a stronger batting average (.278 against Lotte's .270) and a more reliable pitching staff (4.25 ERA against the Giants' 4.56). Their edge is especially true when considering the expected starters. Drew Gagnon will take the ball for the Tigers. He's gone 3-3 with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP while striking out 25.8 percent of opposing batters. The Giants will send out Se Woong Park, who owns a 6.08 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP in 40 innings of work.
Injuries
Joo Chan Kim, Tigers - Out - Undisclosed
June 22 - Kim was removed from the Tigers' roster on Monday, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. It's not clear if Kim was placed on the injured list or sent to the Futures League, as he went 6-for-18 (.333) after making his season debut June 7 but received just five at-bats over the last five games. One way or another, though, the 39-year-old will not
Kia Tigers (23-19) at Lotte Giants (21-21)
Thursday, June 24th, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Drew Gagnon (3-3, 3.94 ERA) vs RHP Se Woong Park (1-4, 6.08 ERA)
Game Preview
The Tigers enter Thursday's action with a 23-19 record while the Giants are 21-21, although it's worth noting these records will be different at the time of the first pitch for his contest, as this will be the second game of a doubleheader thanks to Wednesday's rainout. Ahead of this two-game set, the Tigers seem to have the edge due to a stronger batting average (.278 against Lotte's .270) and a more reliable pitching staff (4.25 ERA against the Giants' 4.56). Their edge is especially true when considering the expected starters. Drew Gagnon will take the ball for the Tigers. He's gone 3-3 with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP while striking out 25.8 percent of opposing batters. The Giants will send out Se Woong Park, who owns a 6.08 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP in 40 innings of work.
Injuries
Joo Chan Kim, Tigers - Out - Undisclosed
June 22 - Kim was removed from the Tigers' roster on Monday, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. It's not clear if Kim was placed on the injured list or sent to the Futures League, as he went 6-for-18 (.333) after making his season debut June 7 but received just five at-bats over the last five games. One way or another, though, the 39-year-old will not be active heading into the latest week of KBO action.
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 Sang Yoo, Tigers - Day-To-Day - Back
June 24 - Yoo (back) will not start in Wednesday's game against Lotte, according to the Tigers' official Twitter account. The 31-year-old will miss at least one game recovering from his back pain. Dae-In Hwang will start at first base for the second time in three games.
Yoon Suk Oh, Giants - 10-Day IL - Hamstring
June 15 - Oh will be placed on the injured list with a right hamstring injury, Ik Rae Choi of The Dong-A Ilbo reports. It's not yet clear how long Oh will be sidelined, but he will not be able to play again until he is activated by the Giants. Oh has provided a nice boost for the Giants since making his season debut June 3, posting an .847 OPS over 11 games, but the team will now be forced to turn to another option on the infield.
Kia Tigers Expected Lineup
SP - Drew Gagnon
1. Ho Ryung Kim
2. Sun Bin Kim
5. Ji Wan Na
6. Dae In Hwang
7. Joo Hwan Na
9. Chan Ho Park
Lotte Giants Expected Lineup
SP - Se Woong Park
2. Ah Seop Son
3. Jun Woo Jeon
4. Dae-Ho Lee
5. Hoon Jung
7. Chi Hong An
8. Joon Tae Kim
9. Dong Han Kim
Top picks
Preston Tucker, Tigers: Tucker has been one of the top hitters in the league this season. Even though the slugging outfielder enters the doubleheader having gone 0-for-7 in his last two games, he still owns a .364 batting average with 15 RBI and a .667 slugging percentage during the month of June.
Drew Gagnon, Tigers: Gagnon is, without a doubt, the better starting pitcher ahead of this matchup, due as much to Se Woong Park's struggles as to his own consistency on the mound. He owns a 3.93 ERA in three June starts.
Ah Seop Son, Giants: Son might be the best offensive option for the Giants in a game where they could have a hard time scoring runs. The veteran outfielder enters this doubleheader owning a .356 average on the season while riding a six-game hitting streak, going 12-for-24 over that stretch.
Hyung Woo Choi, Tigers: Batting out of the cleanup spot, Choi is one of the catalysts of the Tigers' offense. Since missing a game on June 11, he's been on quite a roll, hitting safely in all but one of his nine games and posting a .393/.452/.536 slash line.
Captaincy Options
2. Drew Gagnon
3. Ah Seop Son
Dream11 Team
P – Drew Gagnon (VC)
C – Yong Hwan Baek
IF – Sun Bin Kim
IF – Min Soo Kim
IF – Yong Su Shin
IF – Yoon Ho Hwang
OF – Preston Tucker (C)
OF – Ah Seop Son
OF – Hyung Woo Choi
