This article is part of our DraftKings KBO series.
We some solid pitching options on the hill for Friday's five-game slate, which makes it an interesting night for identifying both top arms and bats. It could certainly be a lower-scoring night overall with the likes of Raul Alcantara, Drew Gagnon, Mike Wright, David Buchanan and Odrisamer Despaigne in action, as that quintet boasts 41 combined victories. That's not to say some from that group aren't vulnerable, however, and that will be reflected in some of the recommended hitters.
As customary, I'll highlight two solid pitching options at different price points, followed by some one-off hitters across the salary scale that could also prove profitable for cash games and/or tournaments. Today, we'll close it out with just one stack, as there's only one team that, on paper, I can envision potentially putting together a robust run tally.
Pitchers
Drew Gagnon ($9,200) comes at a nice discount over top option Raul Alcantara ($10.5K), and with the Bears' right-hander facing a Wiz team that gave him some trouble in his last start, I actually slightly lean toward Gagnon over him Friday. Gagnon doesn't come completely without risk himself, but he's averaging a solid 15.6 DK points and is just two outs away from having posted quality starts in three of his past four trips to the mound. He also handled the middling Wyverns offense for the most part in his one prior encounter with them this season, posting 18.8 DK points after surrendering three earned runs on five hits
We some solid pitching options on the hill for Friday's five-game slate, which makes it an interesting night for identifying both top arms and bats. It could certainly be a lower-scoring night overall with the likes of Raul Alcantara, Drew Gagnon, Mike Wright, David Buchanan and Odrisamer Despaigne in action, as that quintet boasts 41 combined victories. That's not to say some from that group aren't vulnerable, however, and that will be reflected in some of the recommended hitters.
As customary, I'll highlight two solid pitching options at different price points, followed by some one-off hitters across the salary scale that could also prove profitable for cash games and/or tournaments. Today, we'll close it out with just one stack, as there's only one team that, on paper, I can envision potentially putting together a robust run tally.
Pitchers
Drew Gagnon ($9,200) comes at a nice discount over top option Raul Alcantara ($10.5K), and with the Bears' right-hander facing a Wiz team that gave him some trouble in his last start, I actually slightly lean toward Gagnon over him Friday. Gagnon doesn't come completely without risk himself, but he's averaging a solid 15.6 DK points and is just two outs away from having posted quality starts in three of his past four trips to the mound. He also handled the middling Wyverns offense for the most part in his one prior encounter with them this season, posting 18.8 DK points after surrendering three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 6.2 frames. SK checks in averaging the second-fewest runs per game (4.0) and with the second lowest-batting average (.244), furthering Gagnon's case.
Shi Hwan Jang ($7,800) is consistently priced under $8K, and while his Tigers teammates don't exactly offer the best run support, he's still been able to provide some solid fantasy returns relative to salary. Friday, Jang faces a Lions team that he allowed just one earned run to over five innings while recording an impressive nine strikeouts and 21.9 DK points in his one prior meeting against them this season. Samsung comes in averaging the fourth-fewest runs per game (5.0) as well, and they're averaging under a home run per contest (0.9). Jang has also frequently been impressive over his last eight starts, scoring over 20 DK points on four occasions – including 34 DK points two starts ago versus the Twins – and posting a solid 17.3 in another outing during that span.
ALSO CONSIDER: Raul Alcantara ($10,500)
Top Targets
Sung Bum Na ($5,600) is averaging an impressive 11.0 DK points per contest and checks in with three straight two-hit efforts, along with double-digit fantasy-point tallies in four of his last five contests. The veteran is slashing an excellent .310/.390/.602 overall, and he's hitting .313 with runners in scoring position. What's more, Na owns 44 extra-base hits (22 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs) and 61 RBI, and he's eviscerated Twins pitching this season for a .538 average (7-for-13) with one double and three RBI over three games. He'll draw a same-handed matchup Yun Sik Kim, but given the latter's extensive troubles this season, Na makes for an excellent play.
Roberto Ramos ($4,700) is carrying an appealing mid-tier price and has been in a multi-game slump, which makes him an intriguing tournament play. The slugger's average over the last 10 games stands at just .176 (6-for-34), although half of his hits during that span have left the park. That offers a glimpse at his considerable upside, as do his 22 home runs on the campaign. Ramos has also been a strong road hitter (.308/.387/.671 slash with 16 homers over 40 away contests) and has lit up Dinos pitching for a .444 average (8-for-18) with three homers and six RBI across four games this season.
Joo Hwan Choi ($4,000) makes for a strong value play, as he arrives to Friday's contest with a .288/.347/.462 slash that includes 29 XBH (17 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs) and 51 RBI. The veteran is also hitting an outstanding .358 with runners in scoring position, and he just saw a six-game hitting streak snapped Thursday. Choi has a solid track record of success versus the Wiz's pitching staff this season as well, hitting .400 (8-for-20) with a double, a homer and five RBI over five games.
ALSO CONSIDER: Mel Rojas ($6,800); Aaron Altherr ($6,000); Jose Fernandez ($5,700); Hyun Soo Kim ($5,200)
Bargain Bats
Ah Seop Son ($3,800) has seemingly carried a very reasonable salary all season for a player that checks into Friday's action with a stellar .341/.413/.463 slash that includes 28 XBH (24 doubles, four homers), 46 RBI and 59 runs. Son has been his usual self over the last 10 games, hitting .317 (13-for-41) over that span, and he's been at his best in his home park, where he owns a .350/.420/.482 line and average of 9.7 DK points per contest across 35 games. Factor in Son is hitting .355 with runners in scoring position and is hitting .333 over nine games against Heroes pitching and he becomes an even more appealing option.
Jae Il Oh ($3,700) carries a salary even more worthy of a double take, as the first baseman sports a .344/.402/.537 line that is partly comprised of 20 doubles and 10 homers. He's knocked in an impressive 51 runs as well, and he's hitting an eye-popping .403 with runners in scoring position. Oh also arguably comes into Friday with his bat as hot as it's been all season, considering he's slashing .359/.432/.615 with three homers, 12 RBI and an average of 11.3 DK points over his last 10 contests.
ALSO CONSIDER: Hyung Jong Lee ($3,700)
Stack to Consider
Dinos vs. Yun Sik Kim: Sung Bum Na ($5,600); Aaron Altherr ($6,000); Eui Ji Yang ($5,500); Suk Min Park ($4,400)
As mentioned earlier, there is only one stack that truly stands out as worthy of recommendation Friday, and the powerful Dinos are it in their matchup against Kim. The southpaw comes in with a 7.36 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and .311 BAA over his 13 appearances, which include three starts.
Na makes for a great way to start off the stack, given his many positive attributes that were already discussed in his entry earlier. Altherr makes for an excellent way to follow Na, as he's come back from a stint on the injured list in good form. The veteran is 3-for-9 in his first two games since returning, and he's likely worked off any rust from the brief layoff during that pair of contests. Altherr has also been at his best at home this season, slashing .310/.385/.621 across 35 games at Changwon NC Park.
Yang is one of the better hitting catchers in the KBO and currently carries a .288/.367/.500 line through 65 games after winning the 2019 batting title. Yang boasts plenty of power, as evidenced by his 14 doubles and 11 homers, and hit .389 (7-for-18) with five RBI in four games against LG pitching this season.
Finally, Park is a fine option for rounding out the stack and comes at a reasonable salary for a player boasting a .298/.429/.471 line for the season that includes 10 homers. Like his teammate Altherr, he's thrived in his home stadium, posting a .352 average, eight of his 10 round trippers and an average of 9.2 DK points across 35 contests there.
