This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
SK Wyverns (27-54-1) at Kia Tigers (42-37)
Saturday, August 15th, 4:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Joo Han Kim (0-6, 6.83 ERA) vs LHP Ki Hoon Kim (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Game Preview
The Wyverns have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games, and it's clear they're already thinking about what their plans will be for the upcoming 2021 KBO season. That's not the case with the Tigers, as they sit in fifth place of the standings despite going just 4-6 in their last 10 games. They're still in the race to grab a playoff spot, but they must get better down the stretch to accomplish that goal. The pitching matchup doesn't exactly inspire a lot of confidence, as neither pitcher has been tossing the ball at a high level. That said, Ki Hoon Kim has a better ERA and that should give him the edge ahead of this matchup, as the offensive support the Tigers can bring might be pivotal in the quest to earn another victory.
Injuries
Kia Tigers
Dae In Hwang - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed
7/11 9:44 PM IST - Hwang went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in an 8-3 win over Kiwoom on Saturday. Kia manager Matt Williams decided to rest regular starter Min Sang Yoo for the 24-year-old Hwang, who did not disappoint. Despite hitting just four home runs before Saturday, Hwang launched homers toward opposite sides of the field to help the Tigers win. The first baseman has played only eight
SK Wyverns (27-54-1) at Kia Tigers (42-37)
Saturday, August 15th, 4:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Joo Han Kim (0-6, 6.83 ERA) vs LHP Ki Hoon Kim (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Game Preview
The Wyverns have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games, and it's clear they're already thinking about what their plans will be for the upcoming 2021 KBO season. That's not the case with the Tigers, as they sit in fifth place of the standings despite going just 4-6 in their last 10 games. They're still in the race to grab a playoff spot, but they must get better down the stretch to accomplish that goal. The pitching matchup doesn't exactly inspire a lot of confidence, as neither pitcher has been tossing the ball at a high level. That said, Ki Hoon Kim has a better ERA and that should give him the edge ahead of this matchup, as the offensive support the Tigers can bring might be pivotal in the quest to earn another victory.
Injuries
Kia Tigers
Dae In Hwang - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed
7/11 9:44 PM IST - Hwang went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in an 8-3 win over Kiwoom on Saturday. Kia manager Matt Williams decided to rest regular starter Min Sang Yoo for the 24-year-old Hwang, who did not disappoint. Despite hitting just four home runs before Saturday, Hwang launched homers toward opposite sides of the field to help the Tigers win. The first baseman has played only eight games since June 1, but he could see some opportunities to shine on days Yoo is resting.
Ki Young Im - Out - Not Injury Related
8/10 11:13 PM IST - Im was removed from the Tigers' roster Monday, according to mbn.co.kr. Im has really struggled of late, posting an 8.59 ERA over his last five starts, so the Tigers decided to send him to their Futures League club to iron some things out. Im has started 14 games for KIA's top club this season, but it remains to be seen when he will make his next one.
Young Seok Jang - Out - Not Injury Related
6/8 10:29 PM IST - Jang was removed from KIA's first-team roster Monday, Ik-rae Choi of The Dong-A Ilbo reports. Jang was called up last week after spending several weeks with KIA's second team, but he is headed back down after going 1-for-11 (.091) last week. Recently-acquired Ji Hyuk Ryu is expected to take over as KIA's starting third baseman.
Joo Chan Kim - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed
6/22 11:52 PM IST - 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.
Tae Jin Kim - 10-Day IL - Ankle
8/12 10:17 PM IST - The Tigers acquired Kim (ankle) and pitcher Hyun Sik Jang from the Dinos on Wednesday in exchange for pitchers Jeong Soo Park and Kyeong Chan Moon, Jee Ho Yoo of Yonhap News Agency reports. The 24-year-old Kim has been sidelined since early July with a right ankle injury, but once healthy, he'll at least provide the Tigers with a versatile option in the infield and outfield. Over 37 games this season, Kim is batting .217 with a home run and six RBI across 88 plate appearances while seeing action at third base, second base, left field and center field.
Sun Bin Kim - 10-Day IL - Hamstring
8/12 3:52 PM IST - Kim was placed on the injured list Wednesday with a right hamstring injury, according to mksports.co.kr. The 30-year-old reportedly hurt himself after making an impressive sliding catch during the second inning of Tuesday's game against LG. Kim recorded three hits, but the injury is severe enough that he requires another prolonged absence. This is Kim's third stint on the injured list this season.
Chang Jin Lee - Out - Hamstring
8/6 9:38 PM IST - Lee left Thursday's game against the Twins with a right thigh injury and will be out at least two weeks, according to sportsseoul.com. Lee has been a steady presence atop the Tigers' lineup since making his season debut in early July, but the team will be forced to use other options in the leadoff spot until he is ready to get back on the field.
Joon Pyo Park - Out - Finger
8/4 2:42 PM IST - Park was demoted from the Kia roster Tuesday due to pain in his right ring finger, Tae Woo Kim of SPOTV reports. The reliever suffered the injury lifting weights before Tuesday's game against LG. The 28-year-old reportedly lost control while holding a dumbbell, causing the hyperextension of his ring finger. Kia promoted Joon Young Lee on Tuesday to replace Park.
Ji Hyuk Ryu - Out - Hamstring
8/6 9:43 PM IST - Ryu (hamstring) is ready to begin playing in rehab games, according to Tae Woo Kim of SPOTV. Ryu jumped right into a start spot after being acquired by the Tigers in early June, but he injured his hamstring in his fifth game with the club and has been sidelined since. While Ryu is set to get back on the field, manager Matt Williams did not provide an estimated date for Ryu's return to KIA's first team.
SK Wyverns
Hang Choi - Out - Illness
8/14 10:30 PM IST - Choi was removed from the Wyverns' roster Friday due to symptoms of dehydration, according to OSEN. Choi does not appear to be facing a lengthy absence, but he will miss several games. Joon Woo Choi will handle the second-base duties for the Wyverns in Hang Choi's absence.
Jae Hoon Ha - Out - Shoulder
8/10 4:56 PM IST - Ha will miss two months with an injury to his right shoulder, In Ha Kwon of The Chosun Ilbo reports. The reigning saves champion suffered another setback during a relief appearance for SK's Futures League team Friday. He now needs two more months to recover despite being on the verge of returning from an undisclosed injury. Ha's season is likely over, with a 7.62 ERA and just four saves this year.
Eui Yoon Jeong - Out - Not Injury Related
7/11 10:57 PM IST - Jeong was removed from the Wyverns' roster Saturday, according to chosun.com. Jeong was one of SK's top hitters over the last few seasons, but he has had a down year and is just 5-for-31 (.161) over his last 13 games, so the club decided to send him down in an effort to get him back on track.
Jin Gi Jeong - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed
6/16 3:31 PM IST - Jeong is not in Tuesday's lineup versus KT, MyKBOStats.com reports. The 27-year-old will be left out as the Wyverns rotate their outfield once more. Jeong hit .156 through the first two weeks of June.
Ji Kwang Kang - Out - Shoulder
6/15 2:22 PM IST - Kang, who has alternated between position player and relief pitcher the last few seasons, will resume pitching in Futures League games Wednesday, Tae Woo Kim of SPOTV reports. Kang converted from pitcher to hitter when he was drafted in 2009, per the Yonhap News Agency, but he never saw much action as a hitter and gave pitching another shot a couple years ago. The move appeared to be a good one, as he allowed just three earned runs in 16.1 innings (1.65 ERA) over his final 15 appearances last season. However, he was plagued by shoulder soreness that sidelined him after mid-June and entered this season as a hitter again. He is now feeling good enough to give pitching another shot, and if all goes well he could be a factor out of the Wyverns' bullpen at some point soon.
Chang Pyung Kim - 10-Day IL - Shoulder
7/8 10:43 PM IST - Kim (shoulder) is playing in Futures League games, according to Tae Woo Kim of SPOTV. Kim did not return in late June as expected, but considering he's at least seeing game action, it shouldn't be long until he is deemed ready to rejoin SK's top club.
Jong Wook Ko - Out - Not Injury Related
8/2 1:27 PM IST - Ko was demoted by the Wyverns on Sunday, Tae Woo Kim of SPOTV reports. SK promoted Kyung Ho Kim before Sunday's canceled game against the Wiz. Ko struggled in July, hitting a paltry .129 with seven strikeouts over 31 at-bats.
Tyler White - Out - Not Injury Related
7/30 11:37 AM IST - White is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Friday, Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News reports. The 29-year-old signed with the Wyverns in mid-July and has now arrived in Korea, though he still must complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine. The team provided him some training equipment, so he'll be able to work out and begin working his way toward game readiness. White split last season between the Astros and Dodgers with a .612 OPS, but in 2018 he had 12 homers and an .887 OPS in 66 major-league games. He's expected to be ready to make his debut for the Wyverns on Aug. 18.
Kia Tigers Expected Lineup
SP - Ki Hoon Kim
4. Ji Wan Na
5. Min Sik Kim
6. Min Sang Yoo
7. Joo Hwan Na
8. Chan Ho Park
SK Wyverns Expected Lineup
SP - Joo Han Kim
1. Ji Hoon Choi
2. Tae Gon Oh
3. Jeong Choi
4. Dong Min Han
5. Jamie Romak
6. Jun Hyeok Oh
Top Picks From Each Team
Ji Wan Na, Tigers: Na went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run, an additional run scored and three walks in Friday's win over the Wyverns. Na reached basely in four of his five trips to the plate, but he has been struggling of late. He might have 11 home runs with 54 RBI this season, but Na is only hitting .200 (6-for-30) with 11 strikeouts in 11 August games. Either way, he has done a good job all season long and the impressive effort on Friday might boost his confidence going forward.
Jeong Choi, Wyverns: Choi has been one of the most consistent hitters for the Wyverns this season and enters this matchup in a four-game streak. Despite that recent solid streak, he is only hitting .219 in August, but he has looked good enough all season long to be treated as a top choice even if he's performing poorly of late.
Captaincy Options
Dream11 Team
P – Ki Hoon Kim
C – Min Sik Kim
IF – Jeong Choi
IF – Jamie Romak
IF – Sung Hyun Kim
IF – Joo Hwan Na
OF – Preston Tucker (VC)
OF – Ji Wan Na (C)
OF – Jun Hyeok Oh
