Dream11 Fantasy KBO: Heroes at Tigers

Kiwoom Heroes (35-24) at Kia Tigers (30-25)

Monday, July 13rd, 5:30 AM EDT

Projected Starters

RHP Hyun Hee Han (3-3, 5.94 ERA) vs RHP Ki Young Im (4-4, 3.42 ERA)

Game Preview

The Heroes and the Tigers are both in the upper part of the KBO standings, but the Heroes have been far more consistent all year and seem to be the only team that can match up toe-to-toe with the NC Dinos in an eventual playoff series. Kiwoom, however, are riding a two-game losing streak and have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Tigers, on the other hand, have won their last three and are 6-4 in their last 10. The pitching matchup will face two righties who have dealt with inconsistency all season long – Hyun Hee Han will take the ball for the Heroes, while Ki Young Im will be on the mound for the Tigers. Im's numbers look far better compared to Han's ones, although he allowed six runs (four earned) in just four innings against the Wiz the last time out. Han gave up 10 runs and 11 hits in just 1.2 innings against the Bears in his prior start. Han must show ability to bounce back if he wants to stick in the Heroes rotation for a longer period of time.

Injuries

Tigers

Young Seok Jang - Out - Not Injury Related

6/8 10:29 PM IST - Jang was removed from KIA's first-team roster Monday, Ik-rae Choi of The Dong-A Ilbo reports. Jang was called up last week after spending several weeks with KIA's second team, but he is headed back down after going 1-for-11 (.091) last week. Recently-acquired Ji Hyuk Ryu is expected to take over as KIA's starting third baseman.

Joo Chan Kim - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

6/22 11:52 PM IST - Kim was removed from the Tigers' roster on Monday, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. It's not clear if Kim was placed on the injured list or sent to the Futures League, as he went 6-for-18 (.333) after making his season debut June 7 but received just five at-bats over the last five games. One way or another, though, the 39-year-old will not be active heading into the latest week of KBO action.

Sun Bin Kim - 10-Day IL - Thigh

7/6 11:14 AM IST - Kim is expected to miss 2-to-3 weeks after he was diagnosed Monday with a left thigh strain and bruised right ankle, Su-jin Park of Star News reports. Kim was removed from Sunday's loss to the Dinos after he was injured while running the bases. His absence until at least late July is a tough break for the Tigers, as the second baseman was leading the KBO with a .378 batting average. Kim had previously missed time in June with a left quadriceps injury, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the Tigers view the three-week timeline as a more realistic date for his return now that he's dealing with two more lower-body issues.

Kyung Chan Moon - 10-Day IL - Elbow

7/7 3:02 PM IST - Moon was placed on the injured list with elbow pain Tuesday, according to chosun.com. Kia manager Matt Williams clarified it as a minor injury and that he moved the 27-year-old to the IL to give him more rest. The right-hander has recently struggled, allowing nine earned runs over his last two innings. Sang Hyun Jeon will take over as closer until Moon fully heals.

Joo Hwan Na - Day-To-Day - Calf

7/11 10:14 PM IST - Na was removed from Saturday's game against the Heroes with soreness in his right calf, according to Soo Jin Park of Star News. Na's injury is not believed to be serious, but it could prevent him from starting Sunday with no game on the schedule the day after. Since reclaiming the regular third-base duties in mid-June, Na has hit a respectable .269/.290/.478 with four home runs and eight RBI over 19 games.

Ji Hyuk Ryu - Out - Hamstring

7/6 4:44 PM IST - Ryu (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in 2-to-3 weeks to determine a clearer timetable for his return, Su Jin Park of Star News reports. Kia will have the 26-year-old rehab and start physical training after an MRI revealed positive progress involving his injury. The team will likely look at the end of July or beginning of August for a potential return date. Ryu was traded to the Tigers from Doosan in June, playing just five games before getting injured.

Heroes

Jake Brigham - 10-Day IL - Elbow

7/9 2:00 PM IST - Brigham (elbow) could return to action Tuesday against the Dinos, Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports. Brigham threw three innings in a Futures League game Wednesday without issue, which could be the final step in his nearly two-month recovery. Brigham's return should help stabilize a Kiwoom rotation that has struggled of late, outside of top starter Eric Jokisch.

Won Tae Choi - Out - Not Injury Related

7/11 11:06 PM IST - Choi was removed from the Heroes' roster Saturday, according to Soo Jin Park of Star News. Choi posted a 3.68 ERA over his first 10 starts of the season, but he allowed 11 earned runs in a combined eight innings (12.38 ERA) over his last two outings, so manager Heuk Son decided he could use a break. Sung Hyun Moon is expected to take Choi's spot in the rotation next week, and then Choi will reclaim his place the next time through.

Young Gun Jo - Out - Undisclosed

7/3 12:08 AM IST - Jo recorded two outs and allowed three runs on three hits and a walk Thursday in the Heroes' 10-7 win over the Bears. He didn't factor into the decision in the come-from-behind victory. Jo hasn't had a long leash in any of his starts this season, but even by his standards, Thursday's outing was remarkably brief. The young right-hander gave Heroes manager Heuk Son little reason to stick with him, as Jo put five consecutive hitters on base before he was mercifully pulled. With Jake Brigham (elbow) and Hyun Hee Han (knee) sidelined, Jo may receive at least one or two more starts, but he'll likely be at risk at losing his rotation spot once the Heroes get one of their injured starters back.

Woong Bin Kim - 10-Day IL - Hamstring

6/8 9:38 PM IST - Kim will miss 4-to-6 weeks with a left hamstring injury, Soo Jin Park of Star News reports. Kim missed the start of the season while recovering from a forearm injury, and he is now looking at another absence after injuring his leg Sunday.

Young Joon Lee - Out - Back

7/9 2:38 PM IST - Lee was removed from the Heroes' roster Thursday due to a back injury, according to MBN. Lee felt soreness in his back after his last outing Wednesday, and it turns out Kiwoom will be without its setup man for at least a few days. Lee will undergo tests Friday to determine the extent of his injury.

Ji Young Lee - Day-To-Day - Finger

7/11 10:08 PM IST - Lee left Saturday's game against the Tigers with a right finger injury, according to Soo Jin Park of Star News. Lee underwent X-rays on his injured finger, which ultimately returned inconclusive. He will have a chance to start Sunday like he has done regularly of late, but with an off day on the schedule Monday, the Heroes may opt to hold him out of the lineup to give him a couple days to rest and recover.

Byung Wook Lim - 10-Day IL - Hamstring

5/17 10:12 AM IST - Lim (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined 6-to-8 weeks, Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News reports. The 24-year-old went down during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader with a right hamstring injury, and he may end up spending two months on the injured list. Lim had a .278/.366/.389 slash line with four doubles and three stolen bases through 11 games.

Joon Tae Park - Day-To-Day - Thigh

7/11 10:11 PM IST - Park was removed from Saturday's game against the Tigers with soreness in his thigh, according to Soo Jin Park of Star News. Park's injury does not appear to be serious, so it remains to be seen if it will cost him any additional action. Park has seen the ball well of late, going 11-for-25 (.440) with an 8:6 BB:K over his last 11 contests.

Addison Russell - Out - Not Injury Related

7/6 4:46 PM IST - Russell is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Wednesday, Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News Agency reports. Once he arrives in the country, the 26-year-old will immediately be tested for COVID-19 and then quarantine for 14 days. Russell will be able to take batting practice at a house in South Korea while he's in self-isolation, but since he hasn't trained in a team structure since last September while he was still with MLB's Chicago Cubs, he'll need to play at least a few Futures League games before making his debut for the Heroes, who signed him June 19. Per Yoo, manager Son Hyuk said he expects Russell to be an option at both second base and shortstop once he's deemed ready to make his Kiwoom debut, likely in late July or early August.

Kiwoom Heroes Expected Lineup:

SP - Hyun Hee Han

1. Keon Chang Seo

2. Ha Seong Kim

3. Jung Hoo Lee

4. Byung Ho Park

5. Ji Young Lee

6. Dong Won Park

7. Jeong Hyeop Heo

8. Byung Woo Jeon

9. Joon Tae Park

Kia Tigers Expected Lineup:

SP - Ki Young Im

1. Chang Jin Lee

2. Preston Tucker

3. Hyung Woo Choi

4. Ji Wan Na

5. Min Sang Yoo

6. Joo Hwan Na

7. Seung Taek Han

8. Chan Ho Park

9. Jeong Yong Choi

Top Picks

Jung Hoo Lee, Heroes: Lee has posted multi-hit performances in each of his last two games, and it's safe to say he's been the Heroes' most consistent offensive threat all season long. He has hit for .308 with two home runs and nine RBI in 39 July at-bats.

Keon Chang Seo, Heroes: Seo has recorded two or more hits in each of his last three outings, and the talented second baseman is currently riding a five-game hitting streak. He has posted a .372/.417/.581 slash line while adding three stolen bases, four RBI and five extra-base hits (including two triples) in 43 July at-bats.

Preston Tucker, Tigers: Tucker has 14 home runs this season and represents the best offensive source for the Tigers, especially considering Sun Bin Kim remains sidelined through injury. He went through a drought in June, but he has bounced back well this month with three home runs and nine RBI in 38 July at-bats.

Ki Young Im, Tigers: Im represents the best pitching alternative in this matchup, although that's mostly due to the struggles Hyun Hee Han has gone through of late. He has a solid 3.42 ERA and has allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of his last six outings.

Captaincy Options

1. Jung Hoo Lee
2. Keon Chang Seo
3. Preston Tucker

Dream11 Team

P – Ki Young Im

C – Ji Young Lee

IF – Byung Ho Park

IF – Keon Chang Seo (VC)

IF – Chan Ho Park

OF – Preston Tucker

OF – Jung Hoo Lee (C)

OF – Joon Tae Park

OF – Ho Ryung Kim