This article is part of our DraftKings KBO series.
We'll hope to finally get a full five-slate of KBO action in on Thursday for the first time in what seems like forever, but weather concerns still loom over a couple of games. The ledger is once again chock full of former MLB arms, a couple of which stand out as appealing and others that position themselves as targets for some of our hitter and stack selections.
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
David Buchanan ($9,800) is averaging an impressive 20.9 DK points per contest and has been masterful at his home stadium, where he owns a 7-1 record, 1.90 ERA, .228 BAA and average of 21.6 DK points across 11 starts. The former Phillies right-hander has a potent offense behind him as well, and he'll face a Wiz team he already flummoxed once this season in a six-inning blanking. KT undeniably represents a formidable challenge, but Buchanan's body of work and the fact he also boasts a tiny 0.4 HR/9 and 24.0 percent strikeout rate makes him worth the investment.
Aaron Brooks ($8,000) has an ugly 2-5 record that's belied by a solid 3.45 ERA that's an even better 2.49 on the road (four starts). The one-time Athletics arm has a pair of tallies of over 20 DK points in his last seven starts, and he's generated double-digit returns in 10 of 12 trips to the mound overall. He did pitch to some contact against the Eagles two starts ago while giving up five runs (four earned) on 10 hits over six innings, but he also recorded seven strikeouts; moreover, Hanwha checks in tied with the Tigers for fewest runs per game (3.88), have the fewest hits per game (7.7) and also have the lowest team batting average (.236) in the KBO.
ALSO CONSIDER: Eric Jokisch ($9,400)
Top Targets
Jose Pirela ($5,900) has come down to earth just slightly after a blazing start to the season, but he still checks into Thursday's matchup with a .319/.379/.555 slash line that includes 14 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, 62 RBI and eight steals. The former Yankees infielder has been at his best at home, where he boasts a .327 average, 1.014 OPS and average of 11.6 DK points per contest. Pirela had a rare 0-for-6 showing against the Dinos two game ago, but he had four two-hit efforts in the previous seven games and has blasted Wiz pitching this season for a .417 average and 16 DK points per contest across six games. KT starter William Cuevas makes for a good target, considering he's pitched to a 5.76 ERA and .267 BAA over six road starts.
Jung Hoo Lee ($5,300) is enjoying a stellar season that includes a .345/.439/.505 slash line, average of 9.6 DK points per game and a .338 average with runners in scoring position. The fifth-year veteran also has a .346 average and .912 OPS through 39 home contests, and he's tormented SSG pitching for a .395 average across 11 games this season. Landers starter Min Jun Choi could be ripe for exploiting as well, considering he's allowed multiple earned runs in three straight starts and owns a 5.17 ERA and 1.82 WHIP for the season.
Eun Seong Chae ($4,500) carries a very appealing salary for a player that owns a .316/.385/.533 slash line with 13 doubles, 12 home runs and 51 RBI, one that's helped lead to an average of 9.5 DK points. What's more, Chae is currently wielding a scalding hot bat, as he boasts a .400 average, 1.192 OPS and average of 12.5 DK points over his last 10 games. The outfielder also has thrived on the road, as evidenced by his .333 average and 11.5 DK points per contest across 27 away games. Giants starter Dan Straily could be a good target for him also, as the veteran right-hander has a 4.95 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across eight home starts and has pitched to a 6.12 ERA and 1.55 WHIP across his last six starts overall.
Bargain Bats
Sok Min Park ($4,100) offers very cost-effective exposure to the Dinos powerful lineup and a tantalizing matchup against Bears southpaw Hee Kwan Yoo, whose nightmarish season thus far includes a 2-5 record, 8.25 ERA, 2.12 WHIP and 1.4 HR/9. Yoo has given up 17 earned runs and four homers overall in the last three starts alone, and Park has been an excellent road hitter, posting a .315 average and .943 OPS in 31 away games.
Chi Hong An ($3,700) is another potentially rewarding fantasy-point-per-dollar value to consider Wednesday, as he checks in with an outstanding .325/.388/.468 slash line that is partly comprised of a well-rounded 13 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 46 RBI, 24 walks and 23 runs. An has been absolute terror with runners in scoring position as well, posting a jaw-dropping .441 average in that split. An has struggled against LG pitching this season, but he could hardly come into the contest any hotter, as he owns a .469 average over his last 10 games.
Stacks to Consider
Dinos vs. Hee Kwan Yoo: Sung Bum Na ($5,700); Eui Ji Yang ($5,900); Aaron Altherr ($5,200); Sok Min Park ($4,100)
Yoo's numerous weaknesses were already highlighted in Park's entry, while the Dinos come in boasting the most runs (5.6) and fourth-most hits (9.3) per game, along the second-most home runs (102) and fourth-highest team batting average (.273).
Na has punished Bears pitching this season for a .400 average, 1.171 OPS, three homers and eight RBI over seven games, leading to a massive average of 14.3 DK points per contest. He He's been a better hitter at home overall, but he just put up 35 DK points on Doosan two games ago and has five double-digit DK point tallies in his last 10 games alone.
Yang continues to serve as the KBO's most prolific backstop, as he carries a .348/.447/.664 slash line with 38 extra-base hits and 71 RBI over 73 games. The veteran catcher is also hitting .411 with runners in scoring position and is averaging an impressive 10.7 DK points across 40 road games.
Altherr has been particularly effective both on the road and against Doosan in particular, posting .304 and .333 averages in those respective splits. The former MLB outfielder has half his 18 homers when traveling as well, along with five double-digit DK-point tallies in his last 10 games alone.
Finally, Park is a very affordable way to round out the stack and was already discussed earlier.
Lions vs. William Cuevas: Jose Pirela ($5,900); Ja Wook Koo ($5,500); Min Ho Kang ($5,500); Jae Il Oh ($4,500)
Cuevas' vulnerabilities were discussed in Pirela's entry, and the Lions are averaging a solid 5.1 and 9.3 hits per game while also boasting the league's third-highest batting average.
Pirela's many positive attributes were discussed earlier, and Koo makes for an excellent way to follow him in your stack. The veteran has provided very well-rounded fantasy production, contributing 13 doubles, five triples, 10 home runs, 50 RBI and 16 steals. He's averaging 10.4 DK points per home contest overall, and 13.8 over the six games against KT this season.
Kang is very close to the Dinos' Yang in terms of offensive production in the catcher pool, as he's boasting a .335/.393/.527 slash line, 11 homers and 44 RBI across 66 games. He walks into Thursday's matchup red-hot as well, considering he owns a .361 average and has put up 10.5 DK points per contest over his last 10 games.
Finally, Oh sports a reasonable salary for a player that sports a .284/360/.526 slash line with 11 doubles, 12 home runs and 42 RBI across 55 games. The veteran first baseman also comes in with plenty of momentum, as he's 7-for-15 with a double, two home runs and nine RBI over his last four games alone.
