This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
SK Wyverns (1-2) at Lotte Giants (3-0)
Friday, May 8, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Moon Seung-won (11-7, 3.88 ERA in 2019) vs RHP Noh Kyung-eun (9-6, 4.08 ERA in 2018)
Note: Korean names are transliterated differently by different sources. The spellings used here are those used by Dream11 in order to make it easier to assemble a lineup on that site.
Game Preview
The Wyverns, who finished tied for the best regular-season record in the league last season, dropped two out of three to the Eagles in the opening series, scoring just nine runs. They'll turn to 30-year-old righty Moon Seung-won as they look to get back to .500. Moon's 3.88 ERA and 1.13 WHIP last season were both solidly better than league average, somewhat of a surprise given his struggles with the home-run ball. He allowed 1.4 homers per nine innings, double the league average mark of 0.7. The Giants, who finished last in the league in 2019, have started 2020 on the right foot by sweeping the Wiz. They scored a league-best 23 runs in their first three games while giving up just nine. They'll look to 36-year-old Noh Kyung-eun as they go for their fourth straight win. Noh's KBO career began back in 2003, but most of his seasons have been largely unimpressive. He owns a career 5.15 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP, though his 4.08 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 2018, his most recent KBO season, were quite respectable.
Injuries
Lee Jae-won, Wyverns -
SK Wyverns (1-2) at Lotte Giants (3-0)
Friday, May 8, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Moon Seung-won (11-7, 3.88 ERA in 2019) vs RHP Noh Kyung-eun (9-6, 4.08 ERA in 2018)
Note: Korean names are transliterated differently by different sources. The spellings used here are those used by Dream11 in order to make it easier to assemble a lineup on that site.
Game Preview
The Wyverns, who finished tied for the best regular-season record in the league last season, dropped two out of three to the Eagles in the opening series, scoring just nine runs. They'll turn to 30-year-old righty Moon Seung-won as they look to get back to .500. Moon's 3.88 ERA and 1.13 WHIP last season were both solidly better than league average, somewhat of a surprise given his struggles with the home-run ball. He allowed 1.4 homers per nine innings, double the league average mark of 0.7. The Giants, who finished last in the league in 2019, have started 2020 on the right foot by sweeping the Wiz. They scored a league-best 23 runs in their first three games while giving up just nine. They'll look to 36-year-old Noh Kyung-eun as they go for their fourth straight win. Noh's KBO career began back in 2003, but most of his seasons have been largely unimpressive. He owns a career 5.15 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP, though his 4.08 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 2018, his most recent KBO season, were quite respectable.
Injuries
Lee Jae-won, Wyverns - Out - Thumb
May 7 - Lee exited Thursday's 8-4 loss to Hanwha with a fractured right thumb, Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports. SK Wyverns has yet to announce a timeline for Lee's return. Lee was hitless in his first two at-bats before he sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch in his third plate appearance of the day. SK Wyverns will presumably send Lee in for more tests to determine whether surgery is necessary, but even if he avoids a procedure, he appears likely to miss time on account of the injury. Lee's expected absence further thins a weak KBO catcher pool in which the 32-year-old stood out as one of the top fantasy options coming off a 12-homer, 75-RBI 2019 season. Hyun-seok Lee replaced Jae-won in Thursday's game and would presumably be in store for regular work behind the dish while the latter is sidelined.
SK Wyverns Expected Lineup
SP - Moon Seung-won
1. Noh Soo-kwang
2. Ko Jong-wook
3. Choi Jeong
4. Jamie Romak
5. Han Dong-min
6. Yoon Suk-min
7. Lee Hyun-seok
8. Kim Chang-pyung
9. Jung Hyun
Lotte Giants Expected Lineup
SP - Noh Kyung-eun
1. Min Byung-heon
2. Jeon Jun-woo
3. Son Ah-seop
4. Lee Dae-ho
5. An Chi-hong
6. Jung Hoon
8. Han Dong-hee
9. Jung Bo-geun
Top Picks
Moon Seung-won, Wyverns: The Giants may have started the season hot, but recent history suggests that may not continue. Moon recorded respectable numbers last season and could be in line for a strong debut this year against a lineup which finished last in runs per game in 2019.
Jamie Romak, Wyverns: The Canadian slugger finished in the top three in home runs in each of the last two seasons. The cleanup hitter has gone 4-for-12 with a pair of doubles to start the 2020 campaign.
Choi Jeong, Wyverns: The veteran third baseman, who hits one spot before Romak in the Wyverns' order, managed just two hits in the opening series, but it's only a matter of time before his bat gets going. He hit .292 with 29 home runs last season.
Son Ah-seop, Giants: The outfielder and number three hitter looks to be the top captain option for those predicting a Giants win in this contest. Son is an all-around player who's managed double-digit homers, double-digit steals and a batting average no lower than .295 in each of the last seven seasons.
Captaincy Option:
1. Moon Seung-won
2. Jamie Romak
3. Choi Jeong
Dream11 Team
P Moon Seung-won (C)
C Jung Bo-geun
IF Choi Jeong
IF Jamie Romak (VC)
IF Han Dong-hee
IF Jung Hyun
IF Kim Chang-pyung
OF Son Ah-seop
OF Noh Soo-kwang
