This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
Kia Tigers (17-15) at KT Wiz (11-20)
Thursday, June 11th, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Min Woo Lee (3-1, 3.86 ERA) vs RHP Min Soo Kim (0-2, 12.19 ERA)
Game Preview
The Wiz might feature an MVP candidate in Mel Rojas in the middle of their lineup, but that's one of their few positive as they enter this matchup riding a six-game losing streak. The hosts have fallen to 2-8 over their last 10 contests and sit in ninth place with an 11-20 record. The Tigers, on the other hand, are coming off back-to-back wins, improving their record to 17-15. They shut out the Wiz on Wednesday and will aim to repeat that result in the series finale. Min Woo Lee will get the start for the Tigers, while Min Soo Kim will be tasked with snapping the Wiz's ongoing losing streak. That's a daunting task for him considering his 12.19 ERA in 10.1 innings so far this season.
Injuries
Sun Bin Kim – Tigers – 10-Day IL – Tigers – Hamstring
June 10 - Kim is not dealing with a major hamstring injury, according to Tae Woo Kim of SpoTV, but he was removed from Kia's roster Wednesday, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. While Kim does not appear to be facing a long-term absence, the injury he suffered Tuesday will cost him additional time. Gyu Seong Kim will get the first chance to take over at second base.
Chang Jin Lee – Tigers – Out –
Kia Tigers (17-15) at KT Wiz (11-20)
Thursday, June 11th, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Min Woo Lee (3-1, 3.86 ERA) vs RHP Min Soo Kim (0-2, 12.19 ERA)
Game Preview
The Wiz might feature an MVP candidate in Mel Rojas in the middle of their lineup, but that's one of their few positive as they enter this matchup riding a six-game losing streak. The hosts have fallen to 2-8 over their last 10 contests and sit in ninth place with an 11-20 record. The Tigers, on the other hand, are coming off back-to-back wins, improving their record to 17-15. They shut out the Wiz on Wednesday and will aim to repeat that result in the series finale. Min Woo Lee will get the start for the Tigers, while Min Soo Kim will be tasked with snapping the Wiz's ongoing losing streak. That's a daunting task for him considering his 12.19 ERA in 10.1 innings so far this season.
Injuries
Sun Bin Kim – Tigers – 10-Day IL – Tigers – Hamstring
June 10 - Kim is not dealing with a major hamstring injury, according to Tae Woo Kim of SpoTV, but he was removed from Kia's roster Wednesday, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. While Kim does not appear to be facing a long-term absence, the injury he suffered Tuesday will cost him additional time. Gyu Seong Kim will get the first chance to take over at second base.
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.
Jae Gyun Hwang – Wiz – 10-Day IL – Finger
June 9 - Hwang (finger) was placed on the injured list Tuesday, Tae Woo Kim of SPOTV reports. Hwang's right index finger injury is bad enough that he will require a stint on the injured list. The good news is the 32-year-old reportedly needs only a week, and perhaps less, for the hand to heal fully. KT will promote infielder Young-hwan Kim in Hwang's place.
Tae Gon Oh – Wiz – Out – Personal
June 3 - Oh received paternity leave Wednesday, SpoTV reports. Oh should not be away long, but he will take some time to be with his growing family. Seong Ho Cheon was added to the roster in Oh's place.
Kia Tigers Expected Lineup
SP - Min Woo Lee
1. Ho Ryung Kim
4. Ji Wan Na
5. Min Sang Yoo
7. Ji Hyuk Ryu
8. Chan Ho Park
KT Wiz Expected Lineup
SP - Min Soo Kim
1. Woo Joon Sim
2. Yong Ho Jo
3. Baek Ho Kang
4. Han Joon Yoo
5. Mel Rojas
Top picks
Preston Tucker, Tigers: Tucker has not looked as dominant as he was in the first weeks of the season, but he remains a capable threat at the plate. He owns a .323/.391/.597 slash line through his first 32 games to go along with eight homers and 31 RBI.
Hyung Woo Choi, Tigers: Choi went hitless in his previous contest, snapping a 10-game hitting streak, but he remains one of the most threatening bats in a rising Tigers lineup. He's hit .344 with two home runs and five RBI in his last 10 contests.
Mel Rojas, Wiz: Assembling a Wiz-based lineup is probably not a very good idea given the team's overall struggles, but that doesn't mean that Rojas shouldn't be a popular name in this contest. While he's quite expensive at 14.5 credits, he's more than worth that price due to his .374/.418/.675 slash line.
Min Woo Lee, Tigers: Lee gave up five earned runs on six hits during his previous start against the Bears, but he'd been solid in all of his previous outings. He's allowed two or fewer earned runs in three of his previous four starts and will look to bounce back against a struggling Wiz lineup.
Captaincy Options
3. Mel Rojas
Dream11 Team
P – Min Woo Lee
C – Seung Taek Han
IF – Yoon Ho Hwang
IF – Byung Hee Kim
OF – Mel Rojas
OF – Preston Tucker (C)
OF – Hyung Woo Choi (VC)
OF – Ho Ryung Kim
OF – Yong Ho Jo
