This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
KT Wiz (9-11) at Kiwoom Heroes (10-11)
Friday, May 29, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Min Kim (2-0, 6.32 ERA) vs LHP Eric Jokisch (3-0, 1.17 ERA)
Game Preview
The Wiz won Thursday's matchup against the Tigers and extended their winning streak to two games, but they still remain in the bottom half of the standings, sitting in seventh place with a 9-11 record. The Heroes, on the other hand, were not able to maintain their good start to the campaign and have a 10-11 record, good for sixth place, after losing each of their last four contests. The good news for Kiwoom is that they will have a great chance for a bounce-back effort with Eric Jokisch on the mound. The 30-year-old lefty has a dazzling 1.17 ERA in 23.0 innings this season. The Wiz will counter with Min Kim, who allowed just one run in his most recent start back on May 23 against the red-hot LG Twins.
Injuries
Byung Wook Lim – Heroes – 10-Day IL – Hamstring
May 17 - Lim (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined 6-to-8 weeks, Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News reports. The 24-year-old went down during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with a right hamstring injury, and he may end up spending two months on the injured list. Lim had a .278/.366/.389 slash line with four doubles and three stolen bases through 11 games.
Baek Ho Kang – Wiz – 10-Day IL – Wrist
May 22 - Kang will
KT Wiz (9-11) at Kiwoom Heroes (10-11)
Friday, May 29, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Min Kim (2-0, 6.32 ERA) vs LHP Eric Jokisch (3-0, 1.17 ERA)
Game Preview
The Wiz won Thursday's matchup against the Tigers and extended their winning streak to two games, but they still remain in the bottom half of the standings, sitting in seventh place with a 9-11 record. The Heroes, on the other hand, were not able to maintain their good start to the campaign and have a 10-11 record, good for sixth place, after losing each of their last four contests. The good news for Kiwoom is that they will have a great chance for a bounce-back effort with Eric Jokisch on the mound. The 30-year-old lefty has a dazzling 1.17 ERA in 23.0 innings this season. The Wiz will counter with Min Kim, who allowed just one run in his most recent start back on May 23 against the red-hot LG Twins.
Injuries
Byung Wook Lim – Heroes – 10-Day IL – Hamstring
May 17 - Lim (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined 6-to-8 weeks, Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News reports. The 24-year-old went down during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with a right hamstring injury, and he may end up spending two months on the injured list. Lim had a .278/.366/.389 slash line with four doubles and three stolen bases through 11 games.
Baek Ho Kang – Wiz – 10-Day IL – Wrist
May 22 - Kang will be out three weeks with a left wrist injury, Daniel Kim of DKTV reports. Before landing on the injured list, the 20-year-old slugger put up a tremendous .333/.406/.737 stat line while leading the team in home runs (five) and runs batted in (14). Kang has started every game this season as well, so his absence will leave a notable hole in KT's lineup. Seung Wook Park will get the first crack at filling the void, but several other players could get a shot as well.
Han Joon Yoo – Wiz – 10-Day IL – Thigh
May 17 - Yoo (thigh) is expected to be sidelined for six weeks with a torn adductor, Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News reports. The veteran outfielder suffered the injury during Saturday's contest and is now looking at an extended absence. Yoo was off to a strong start this season with a .300/.349/.475 slash line and two home runs through 10 games.
KT Wiz Expected Lineup:
SP - Min Kim
1. Woo Joon Sim
3. Yong Ho Jo
4. Mel Rojas
Kiwoom Heroes Expected Lineup:
SP - Eric Jokisch
2. Ha Seong Kim
4. ByungHo Park
6. Ji Young Lee
9. Gyu Min Kim
Top picks:
Jeong Hoo Lee, Heroes: Lee has been one of Kiwoom's most productive hitters this season thanks to a .354/.433/.620 slash line, leading the team in RBI (19) while ranking second in home runs (four). He enters this matchup having collected three hits in his last eight at-bats.
Eric Jokisch, Heroes: Jokisch has been one of the most dominant arms in the KBO this season, allowing just two earned runs in his last three starts (18.0 innings). Plus, the Wiz won't have one of their top hitters available in Baek Ho Kang, who's slated to miss a few weeks due to a wrist injury.
Keon Chang Seo, Heroes: Seo might not be as dangerous as Lee, but there is no question he's been seeing the ball well all season long. The Heroes' leadoff man has gone 5-for-9 with a homer in his last two games, part of an impressive campaign where he has posted a .317/.391/.488 slash line with 15 RBI in 94 plate appearances.
Yong Ho Jo, Wiz: Jo will be the Wiz's most interesting hitter in this game, an impressive feat considering Mel Rojas enters this game sporting a .415/.461/.659 slash line with four homers and 15 RBI. Jo has a better average (.489, albeit in 32 fewer at-bats) but the main reason why he has the edge is his cost. He's available for only 9.5 credits, while Rojas costs 14 and ranks among the most expensive players in this slate.
Captaincy Options:
2. Eric Jokisch
Dream11 Team
P – Eric Jokisch (VC)
C – Dong Won Park
IF – Ha Seong Kim
IF – Keon Chang Seo
IF – Joo Hyung Kim
OF – Jeong Hoo Lee (C)
OF – Yong Ho Jo
OF – Mel Rojas
OF – Jeong Dae Bae
