This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
KT Wiz (6-8) vs LG Twins (9-5)
Friday, May 22, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (1-0, 2.65 ERA) vs RHP Casey Kelly (1-0, 5.62 ERA)
Game Preview
The Wiz are coming off a 9-4 loss to the Eagles, a result which snapped their five-game winning streak. That streak followed a stretch where they won just one of their first eight contests, but they're clearly improving as the season goes on. On the other hand, the Twins have jumped to second place of the standings with a 9-5 record after returning to their winning ways after a 2-0 win over the Samsung Lions on Thursday. The Wiz will send Odrisamer Despaigne to the mound, a 33-year-old veteran who has allowed just six runs (five earned) in 17.0 innings across three starts. The Twins will counter with Casey Kelly, who tossed six shutout frames last week against the Heroes.
Injuries
Jae-gyun Hwang – Wiz – Day-To-Day – Finger
May 21 - Hwang was withheld from the lineup Thursday in the Wiz's 9-4 loss to the Eagles due to an injury to his left index finger, Sang-gyeong Park of The Chosun Ilbo reports. Hwang apparently picked up the injury while sliding into third base Wednesday in the Wiz's 8-1 win. The index finger swelled up shortly after that game concluded, prompting Wiz manager Kang-cheol Lee to hold the 32-year-old out for the series finale. The Wiz are viewing Hwang as day-to-day for now, though Lee acknowledged Hwang could be
KT Wiz (6-8) vs LG Twins (9-5)
Friday, May 22, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (1-0, 2.65 ERA) vs RHP Casey Kelly (1-0, 5.62 ERA)
Game Preview
The Wiz are coming off a 9-4 loss to the Eagles, a result which snapped their five-game winning streak. That streak followed a stretch where they won just one of their first eight contests, but they're clearly improving as the season goes on. On the other hand, the Twins have jumped to second place of the standings with a 9-5 record after returning to their winning ways after a 2-0 win over the Samsung Lions on Thursday. The Wiz will send Odrisamer Despaigne to the mound, a 33-year-old veteran who has allowed just six runs (five earned) in 17.0 innings across three starts. The Twins will counter with Casey Kelly, who tossed six shutout frames last week against the Heroes.
Injuries
Jae-gyun Hwang – Wiz – Day-To-Day – Finger
May 21 - Hwang was withheld from the lineup Thursday in the Wiz's 9-4 loss to the Eagles due to an injury to his left index finger, Sang-gyeong Park of The Chosun Ilbo reports. Hwang apparently picked up the injury while sliding into third base Wednesday in the Wiz's 8-1 win. The index finger swelled up shortly after that game concluded, prompting Wiz manager Kang-cheol Lee to hold the 32-year-old out for the series finale. The Wiz are viewing Hwang as day-to-day for now, though Lee acknowledged Hwang could be a candidate for the injured list if he fails to show notable improvement over the weekend. The loss of Hwang for any length of time would be damaging for the Wiz, as he's slashed .333/.383/.500 with nine RBI and 12 runs in 13 games while serving as the club's everyday third baseman. Byung Hee Kim drew the start at the hot corner in Hwang's stead Thursday and went 2-for-4 with a solo home run.
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.
Woo Seok Ko – Twins – 10-Day IL – Knee
May 18 - The Twins announced Sunday that Ko underwent arthroscopic surgery to address meniscus and MCL damage in his left knee, Jae-hyung Roh of The Chosun Ilbo reports. He's expected to be sidelined for at least three months while rehabbing from the procedure. After recording a save in one of his two appearances this season, Ko reported the knee injury to the club Thursday before he was sent in for further evaluation. The Twins' medical staff quickly determined that Ko would require a scope to address the knee issue, rendering him unavailable through at least early August. With Ko out of the mix, manager Joong-il Ryu indicated that Sang Gyu Lee will be the Twins' primary closer, while Woo Young Jung is the next man up behind Lee.
Hyung Jong Lee – Twins – Out – Wrist
May 10 - Lee, who suffered a fractured wrist in a preseason game, is expected to return in late May or early June, Newsis News Agency reports. Lee broke the fifth metacarpal in his left hand, but he should be a big part of LG's offense when he returns after hitting .286 with 13 home runs and an .800 OPS last season. Yong-taik Park has received more playing time as a result of Lee's injury.
KT Wiz Expected Lineup:
SP - Odrisamer Despaigne
1. Woo Joon Sim
3. Yong Ho Jo
4. Baek Ho Kang
5. Mel Rojas
LG Twins Expected Lineup:
SP - Casey Kelly
2. Hyun Soo Kim
7. Ji Hwan Oh
8. Kang Nam Yoo
Top picks:
Mel Rojas, Wiz: Rojas remains one of the league's best bats and currently sits second in league in batting average (.456) and hits (26) in 64 plate appearances. He's riding a three-game hitting streak with three RBI during that stretch.
Roberto Ramos, Twins: Ramos went 2-for-4 Thursday, extending his hitting streak to three games. Ramos has hit safely in all but two games this season and owns a .404 average with a 1.372 OPS through his first 56 plate appearances.
Hyun Soo Kim, Twins: Kim has hit safely in five of his last six games, although he has recorded a multi-hit game just once during that span. He drove in nine runs in his first seven games but hasn't driven in any in his last six appearances. He's a good candidate to bounce back here.
Eun Seong Chae, Twins: Chae went yard Thursday as he pushed his hitting streak to five games. The 30-year-old outfielder is hitting .389 during those five games.
Captaincy Options:
1. Mel Rojas
3. Hyun Soo Kim
Dream11 Team
C – Seong Woo Jang
IF – Roberto Ramos (VC)
IF – Ju-hyeon Jung
OF – Hyun Soo Kim
OF – Eun Seong Chae
OF – Chun Woong Lee
OF – Baek Ho Kang
OF – Mel Rojas (C)
