This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
Kiwoom Heroes (86-57-1 in 2019) at Kia Tigers (62-80-2 in 2019)
Tuesday, May 5, 1:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Jake Brigham (13-5, 2.96 ERA in 2019) vs LHP Yang Hyun-Jong (16-8, 2.29 ERA in 2019)
Game Preview
This Opening Day matchup features a battle between two of the best starting pitchers in the league. Last season's Korean Series losers, the Heroes, will trot out 32-year-old American Jake Brigham. The righty made a minimal impact at the MLB level, throwing just 16.2 innings of relief for the Braves in 2015, but has since gone on to make a name for himself overseas. His third season in the KBO was his best, as his 2.96 ERA was good for seventh-best among pitchers who threw at least 150 innings. He'll face a Tigers lineup that finished second-last in runs scored last season. The Tigers will get behind a man who may be the KBO's best pitcher. Yang Hyun-Jong recorded an excellent 2.29 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in 2019, his 13th season in the league, a career which has been spent entirely with the Tigers. The lefty will face a tough task against a Heroes lineup which led the league in runs scored last season.
Top Picks
Yang Hyun-Jong: The pitching decision in this matchup is far from an easy one. While Yang is the better pitcher, you could certainly make a case for Brigham, a strong pitcher in his own right who is facing a much easier lineup. Yang being
Kiwoom Heroes (86-57-1 in 2019) at Kia Tigers (62-80-2 in 2019)
Tuesday, May 5, 1:00 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Jake Brigham (13-5, 2.96 ERA in 2019) vs LHP Yang Hyun-Jong (16-8, 2.29 ERA in 2019)
Game Preview
This Opening Day matchup features a battle between two of the best starting pitchers in the league. Last season's Korean Series losers, the Heroes, will trot out 32-year-old American Jake Brigham. The righty made a minimal impact at the MLB level, throwing just 16.2 innings of relief for the Braves in 2015, but has since gone on to make a name for himself overseas. His third season in the KBO was his best, as his 2.96 ERA was good for seventh-best among pitchers who threw at least 150 innings. He'll face a Tigers lineup that finished second-last in runs scored last season. The Tigers will get behind a man who may be the KBO's best pitcher. Yang Hyun-Jong recorded an excellent 2.29 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in 2019, his 13th season in the league, a career which has been spent entirely with the Tigers. The lefty will face a tough task against a Heroes lineup which led the league in runs scored last season.
Top Picks
Yang Hyun-Jong: The pitching decision in this matchup is far from an easy one. While Yang is the better pitcher, you could certainly make a case for Brigham, a strong pitcher in his own right who is facing a much easier lineup. Yang being three credits cheaper tips the scales his way, but whichever pitcher ends up the better one is likely to be a worthy captain choice.
Park Byung-Ho, Heroes: If the Heroes can get the better of Yang, expect Park to be in the middle of things. While the veteran slugger was unsuccessful in his brief foray into MLB action back in 2016, he's been a star in his native South Korea averaging 41.7 home runs per season across his last six KBO campaigns.
Choi Hyung-Woo, Tigers: Choi is an incredible steal at just seven credits. The veteran slugger's home run total dropped to 17 last season as league-wide offense cratered with the introduction of a new baseball, but his .300 batting average and 86 RBI make him still very much a bargain.
Preston Tucker, Tigers: Tucker comes with a hefty price tag of 16 credits but has the resume to back it up. The left-handed outfielder spent some time as a bench player at the MLB level before having a very successful first season in the KBO last year, in which he hit .311 with 50 runs and 50 RBI in 95 games.
Captaincy Options
1. Yang Hyun-Jong
2. Jake Brigham
Dream11 Team
P Yang Hyun-Jong (C)
C Park Dong-Won
IF Kim Ha-Seong
IF Park Byung-Ho
IF Kim Sun-Bin
IF Jeon Byung-Woo
OF Preston Tucker (VC)
OF Choi Hyung-Woo
