SK Wyverns (14-33) at Samsung Lions (24-24)
Tuesday, June 30th, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Jong Hoon Park (3-3, 5.81 ERA) vs LHP Chae Heung Choi (4-2, 3.96 ERA)
Game Preview
Both the Lions and the Wyverns sit in the bottom half of the standings and both are coming off losses in their most recent games. The Lions have looked far better recently, however, winning five of their last seven games, while the Wyverns have won just two of their last 12 contests. The Lions also seem have the pitching advantage heading into this matchup, as they'll send lefty Chae Heung Choi to the mound. He's gone 4-2 with a 3.96 ERA this season, though he got lit up for six runs in 4.2 inning of work in his lone start against the Wyverns. The visitors will counter with righty Jong Hoon Park, who defeated Choi with a quality start back in early June. His overall season numbers are a disappointing, though, as he's gone 3-3 with a 5.81 ERA in nine starts.
Injuries
Gye Beom Park, Lions - Out - Back
June 27 - Park is dealing with an acute back issue and was removed from Samsung's roster Saturday, Song Jeong Heon of Sports Chosun reports. Fortunately it doesn't sound as though Park's back issue is serious, but he will miss some time while he recovers. He's not a fixture in the Lions' everyday lineup but does frequently serve as a pinch hitter, so his absence
SK Wyverns (14-33) at Samsung Lions (24-24)
Tuesday, June 30th, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Jong Hoon Park (3-3, 5.81 ERA) vs LHP Chae Heung Choi (4-2, 3.96 ERA)
Game Preview
Both the Lions and the Wyverns sit in the bottom half of the standings and both are coming off losses in their most recent games. The Lions have looked far better recently, however, winning five of their last seven games, while the Wyverns have won just two of their last 12 contests. The Lions also seem have the pitching advantage heading into this matchup, as they'll send lefty Chae Heung Choi to the mound. He's gone 4-2 with a 3.96 ERA this season, though he got lit up for six runs in 4.2 inning of work in his lone start against the Wyverns. The visitors will counter with righty Jong Hoon Park, who defeated Choi with a quality start back in early June. His overall season numbers are a disappointing, though, as he's gone 3-3 with a 5.81 ERA in nine starts.
Injuries
Gye Beom Park, Lions - Out - Back
June 27 - Park is dealing with an acute back issue and was removed from Samsung's roster Saturday, Song Jeong Heon of Sports Chosun reports. Fortunately it doesn't sound as though Park's back issue is serious, but he will miss some time while he recovers. He's not a fixture in the Lions' everyday lineup but does frequently serve as a pinch hitter, so his absence will affect the team's depth.
Tyler Saladino, Lions - Out - Back
June 24 - Saladino (back) was removed from Samsung's active roster Wednesday, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. The 30-year-old will likely miss several games due to the injured back, a recurring issue he has dealt with since first hurting it on June 11 versus Kiwoom. The power-lacking Lions will look for Saladino to return as soon as possible, considering he currently leads the team in home runs (six) and slugging percentage (.504).
Dong Min Han, Wyverns - 10-Day IL - Lower Leg
June 11 - Han (lower leg) is expected to return between late June and early July, Newsis reports. Han still has a ways to go in his recovery, and manager Kyung Yup Yeom said he "will not be in a hurry" to get Han back. However, Han appears to be progressing well and still has a chance to return to the field sooner than originally expected.
Chang Pyung Kim, Wyverns - 10-Day IL - Shoulder
June 15 - Kim (shoulder) is on track to return to action by the end of the month, Tae Woo Kim of SPOTV reports. Kim has not played for SK since May 24, and the Wyverns have been cautious with his recovery because he has dealt with the same issue in the past. However, Kim is nearing the end of the process and could make a Futures League appearance next week. If all goes well, he should resume playing before June comes to a close.
Heung Ryun Lee, Wyverns - Out - Shoulder
June 20 - Lee was removed from the Wyverns' roster Saturday due to a shoulder injury, according to Soo Jin Park of Star News. It remains to be seen how long Lee will be sidelined, but with SK's starting catcher, Jae Won Lee, being activated from the injured list in the corresponding move, he is in line to fill a reserve role whenever he is ready to play again.
SK Wyverns Expected Lineup
SP - Jong Hoon Park
1. Kyung Ho Kim
2. Ji Hoon Choi
3. Jeong Choi
4. Jamie Romak
5. Jong Wook Ko
6. Kang Min Kim
7. Jae Won Lee
Samsung Lions Expected Lineup
SP - Chae Heung Choi
1. Sang Su Kim
2. Hae Min Park
3. Ja Wook Koo
4. Won Seok Lee
5. Hak Ju Lee
8. Min Ho Kang
9. Heon Gon Kim
Top picks
Hae Min Park, Lions: Park has been seeing the ball quite well lately. He's currently riding a three-game hitting streak and has hit .391 with a 1.092 OPS in his last seven games, adding two home runs and six RBI during that stretch.
Jamie Romak, Wyverns: Romak might have gone 0-for-8 in his last two games, but that doesn't take away the fact that he's been a dangerous hitter throughout the season. He has gone 22-for-81 (.272) with six home runs and 22 RBI through 24 games in the month of June.
Chae Heung Choi, Lions: Choi allowed one run on five hits and one walk while fanning five across six innings in his previous start, and he has a strong chance to repeat a similar performance against a banged-up, power-starved lineup.
Sang Su Kim, Lions: Kim gets the benefit of hitting at the top of the Lions' order, and even though he went hitless in his last two games, he remains a solid offensive option in a contest where both lineups are depleted. He's hitting .327/.358/.408 over his last 12 games.
Captaincy Options:
1. Hae Min Park
2. Jamie Romak
Dream11 Team
P – Chae Heung Choi
C – Eung Min Kim
IF – Jamie Romak (VC)
IF – Sang Su Kim
IF – Jeong Choi
OF – Hae Min Park (C)
OF – Ji Hoon Choi
OF – Ja Wook Koo
OF – Hyun-woo Chae
