This article is part of our DraftKings KBO series.
We're down to a three-game slate on Saturday, which naturally changes things up a bit in terms of our strategy and certainly narrows down our player pool. I've abbreviated the hitter selections to two top targets and two bargain bats as a result, but I still found two teams to recommend as stacks that are facing each other in what could be an offensive showcase.
As customary, I'll highlight what I consider to be two of the safer 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. I'll then recommend two stacks that I trust the most to potentially string some above-average offensive numbers together and pay off for you in tournaments.
Pitchers
Young Pyo Ko ($9,900) is enjoying a stellar season that includes an 11-4 record, 2.81 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, along with a .225 BAA, across 22 starts. He's actually been slightly more effective on the road as well, posting an 8-1 record, 2.56 ERA and 0.97 WHIP there. Ko is averaging an impressive 18 DK points per game overall and has averaged 22 in five starts against LG, a sample in which he's produced a 3-0 record, 1.26 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and .141 BAA across 35.2 innings.
Ryan Carpenter ($9,300) sports an ugly 5-11 record, but he's often been a hard-luck loser this season, as evidenced by his 3.92 ERA, .235 BAA and 158 strikeouts across 147 innings. The former MLB southpaw is still averaging a solid 15.3 DK points per start and has held the opposing Tigers to a 2.20 ERA across 16.1 innings this season while averaging 16.6 DK points in the sample. Kia is also averaging a KBO-low 3.96 runs per game and owns a pedestrian .246 team batting average, furthering Carpenter's case.
ALSO CONSIDER: Seung Hyuk Han ($8,100)
Top Targets/Bargain Bats
Jeong Choi ($5,200) owns a .309 average, 1.040 OPS and 9.5 DK points per game across 61 games, and he's been lethal against Lotte pitching all season. Choi boasts a .419 average, 1.388 OPS and 15.8 DK points per contest in 12 games against the Giants, and he checks into Saturday's contest hot with a .313 average and 9.9 DK points per game in his last 10. Meanwhile, opposing starter Seung Heon Lee has pitched to a 5.40 ERA, .314 BAA and 1.96 WHIP in 43.1 innings.
Jun Woo Jeon ($4,500) serves as a highly appealing mid-salary play in a matchup against Yeong U Jo, who carries a 6.35 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and .306 BAA across 28 appearances (six starts) into Saturday's game. Jeon has an elite .343/.404/.467 slash line for the season and has accumulated 87 RBI on the strength of a jaw-dropping .426 average with runners in scoring position. Jeon has also had plenty of success against SSG pitching this season, posting a .370 average and .920 OPS against Landers arms across 12 games.
Eun Seong Chae ($4,300) does have a tough matchup against Ko, but given the combination of his upside and salary, I still like him as a value option. The veteran is having another solid all-around season that includes 32 XBH, 67 RBI and an .848 OPS. Chae has also averaged 10.1 DK points per contest on the road, where he's also belted 13 of his 15 homers for the season. He's swinging a hot bat as well, posting a .324 average over the last 10 games.
Chi Hong An ($3,800) is player worthy of a considerably higher salary, making him an intriguing bargain bat to capitalize on Saturday. The veteran will be in the same position as his teammate Jeon to capitalize on the matchup against Yeong U Jo and also checks in with a sizzling .429 average and 1.004 OPS across his last 10 games. The 31-year-old is hitting a blistering .389 with runners in scoring position this season and sports a .304 average and .812 OPS in 12 games against SSG on the campaign.
Stacks to Consider
Giants vs. Yeong U Jo: Jun Woo Jeon ($4,500); Hoon Jung ($4,300); Dae Ho Lee ($3,800); Chi Hong An ($3,800)
Joo's weakness already cited in Jeon's entry come into play here, as does the fact the Giants are averaging the second-most runs (5.2), most hits (9.7) and own the highest team batting average (.279) in the league.
Jeon and An were already discussed in detail, while Jung has a .299 average and .834 OPS for the season and sports a .317 average and 8.6 DK points per game against Landers this season (11 games). Meanwhile, Lee is arguably carrying a lower salary than he should be considering his .290 average, .811 OPS, 18 homers and 73 RBI. He's also slugged 12 of those homers on the road.
ALSO CONSIDER: Landers vs. Seung Heon Lee: Shin Soo Choo ($5,300); Jeong Choi ($5,200); Joo Hwan Choi ($4,400); Yoo Seom Han ($4,400)
