Samsung Lions (2-5) at Kiwoom Heroes (6-1)
Wednesday, May 13, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP David Buchanan (0-1, 7.50 ERA) vs RHP Choi Won Tae (0-0, 3.60 ERA)
Game Preview
The Heroes have undoubtedly been one of the best teams during the first week of the 2020 KBO season and their record backs that up, as they currently sit in the top of the standings with a 6-1 record while averaging 5.43 runs scored per contest. The Heroes are riding a four-game winning streak entering this matchup and will look to extend it against a struggling Lions side that has lost both of their past two games, including the series opener on Tuesday by a 3-2 score. Samsung will try to stop that skid by sending former MLB pitcher David Buchanan to the mound, while the Heroes will counter with Choi Won Tae. Buchanan will hope to turn things around after allowing five earned runs across six innings in his KBO debut last week against the NC Dinos.
Injuries
Jung Hyun Baek, Lions - Day-To-Day - Calf
Baek will miss at least a week with soreness in his left calf, KBO analyst Jin-Hyeok Jang reports. It's not clear how much time Baek will miss, but he will be out at least one week according to the KBO's roster rules. Baek garnered the Opening Day start for Samsung, but he has clearly not been himself this season, allowing eight earned runs in 10.0 innings over two starts.
Samsung Lions (2-5) at Kiwoom Heroes (6-1)
Wednesday, May 13, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP David Buchanan (0-1, 7.50 ERA) vs RHP Choi Won Tae (0-0, 3.60 ERA)
Game Preview
The Heroes have undoubtedly been one of the best teams during the first week of the 2020 KBO season and their record backs that up, as they currently sit in the top of the standings with a 6-1 record while averaging 5.43 runs scored per contest. The Heroes are riding a four-game winning streak entering this matchup and will look to extend it against a struggling Lions side that has lost both of their past two games, including the series opener on Tuesday by a 3-2 score. Samsung will try to stop that skid by sending former MLB pitcher David Buchanan to the mound, while the Heroes will counter with Choi Won Tae. Buchanan will hope to turn things around after allowing five earned runs across six innings in his KBO debut last week against the NC Dinos.
Injuries
Jung Hyun Baek, Lions - Day-To-Day - Calf
Baek will miss at least a week with soreness in his left calf, KBO analyst Jin-Hyeok Jang reports. It's not clear how much time Baek will miss, but he will be out at least one week according to the KBO's roster rules. Baek garnered the Opening Day start for Samsung, but he has clearly not been himself this season, allowing eight earned runs in 10.0 innings over two starts.
Ja Wook Koo, Lions - Day-To-Day - Forearm
Koo (forearm) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Kiwoom Heroes, according to Samsung's official Twitter account. Koo missed Samsung's last two games because of his injury, and he will miss at least one more contest for the same reason.
Samsung Lions Expected Lineup:
SP - David Buchanan
1. Hae Min Park
2. Dong-Yub Kim
3. Ja Wook Koo
5. Sang Su Kim
6. Won-seok Lee
7. Hun Gon Kim
8. Min-Ho Kang
Kiwoom Heroes Expected Lineup:
SP - Won Tae Choi
2. Ha Seong Kim
4. ByungHo Park
6. Ji Young Lee
Top picks:
Byung Wook Lim, Heroes: Lim might at the bottom of the Heroes' order, but he's still a dangerous hitter. The center fielder has hit safely in six of the team's seven games to date and enters this matchup sporting an impressive .367 OBP. He lacks power but provides value by getting on base quite often.
Dong-Yub Kim, Lions: Kim represents the Lions' best chance to create havoc offensively, as he's been one of the league's most consistent hitters during the first few games of the season. He's hit safely in each of his first seven games and enters this matchup with a strong .310/.333/.586 slash line.
Keon Chang Seo, Heroes: Seo enters this game with a .222/.258/.333 slash line, but he at least has a three-game hitting streak with four RBI during that stretch. He has a track record that suggests improvement is coming, as he hit .300 with a .754 OPS last season.
Won Tae Choi, Heroes: Despite his team losing on his season debut, Choi allowed just two runs in five innings of work. He has a good chance for a strong result here, as he'll face a Lions squad that has averaged just 2.0 runs scored per game in their five defeats to date.
Captaincy Options:
2. Dong-Yub Kim
Dream11 Team
P – Won Tae Choi
C – Ji Young Lee
IF – Ha Seong Kim
IF – Ji Chan Kim
IF – Keon Chang Seo
OF – Byung Wook Lim
OF – Jeong Hoo Lee
OF – Dong-Yub Kim
OF – Hae Min Park
