Dream11 Fantasy KBO: Lions at Dinos

Samsung Lions (34-32) at NC Dinos (43-19)

Wednesday, July 22nd, 5:30 AM EDT

Projected starters

RHP Tae In Won (5-2, 3.12 ERA) vs RHP Drew Rucinski (9-1, 2.05 ERA)

Game Preview

The Lions appeared to be on the rise and seemed ready to fight for a playoff berth in the second half of the 2020 KBO season, as were comfortable playing over .500 mark following a slow start to the campaign. That said, they're coming off back-to-back losses and have gone just 4-6 over their last 10 games. The Dinos, on the other hand, remain the top team in the league by a wide margin and own a 5.5-game lead at the top of the standings. Plus, they have gone 6-2-2 in their last 10 contests while being the only team in the league that has lost under 20 games. The pitching matchup here will be an exciting one, as Tae In Won will go up against Drew Rucinski. Won has been one of the top pitchers in the Lions staff, but Rucinski has been extremely dominant of late and has posted an ERA of just 0.69 in his last 26 innings of work.

Injuries:

NC Dinos

Tae Jin Kim - 10-Day IL - Ankle

7/11 1:59 AM IST - Kim will miss four weeks with the ankle injury he suffered Wednesday, according to chosun.com. Kim is not a starter when the Dinos' infield is healthy, but he is the team's top reserve infielder, and his injury will force manager Dong Wook Lee to turn elsewhere when he wants to give one of his regulars a day off in the coming weeks.

Eui Ji Yang - Day-To-Day - Back

7/22 1:31 AM IST - Yang was removed Tuesday in the fourth inning of the Dinos' 6-5 win over the Lions with back discomfort. After striking out in his first at-bat of the night, Yang returned to the dish in the third inning and flew out to right field. At some point during the latter plate appearance, Yang tweaked his back, prompting the Dinos to pull him from the contest in the next half inning. Tae Goon Kim caught the final six frames of the 10-inning victory and could be in store for a start behind the dish Wednesday if Yang hasn't fully moved past the back issue.

Samsung Lions

Yoon Dong Heo - Out - Not Injury Relate

7/17 8:44 PM IST - Heo was removed from the Lions' roster on Friday, according to the team's official Twitter account. Heo started for the Lions for nearly the past two months, but with Ben Lively returning to action he will be bumped from the rotation -- and the roster altogether. The 19-year-old Heo held his own at the top level, so he should garner consideration next time the Lions need to add a starter to the roster.

Hyun Joon Im - Out - Not Injury Related

6/29 10:56 PM IST - Im was removed from the Lions' first-team roster Monday, according to the team's official Twitter account. Im was not scored upon in his first 15 appearances out of Samsung's bullpen, but he was tagged for three earned runs over his last five outings, so the team decided to give him a break. He will be eligible to rejoin Samsung's top team during the second week of July.

Heon Gon Kim - Out - Not Injury Related

7/3 2:41 PM IST - Kim was removed from the first-team roster Friday, according to the Lions' official Twitter page. Samsung will demote the 31-year-old for the second time this season, the first instance occurring June 5. Kim continued to struggle upon his return to the Lions, producing just a .630 OPS through 11 games. Samsung promoted Jun Seok Song to the first team ahead of Friday's game against LG.

Chan Do Park - Day-To-Day - Ankle

7/18 9:07 PM IST - Park was removed before the fifth inning Saturday due to pain in his left ankle, Sung Yoon Park of SPOTV reports. The 31-year-old got hurt at some point in the fourth inning, necessitating a player substitution. Seung Gyu Park took over in right field to begin the top half of the fifth.

Tyler Saladino - 10-Day IL - Back

7/17 2:10 PM IST - Saladino was placed on the injured list Friday with a back injury, Sung Yoon Park of SPOTV reports. Despite playing 44 games in 2020, the 30-year-old has suffered multiple injuries during his first season at Daegu. Saladino's back remains problematic, returning from one two-week absence on July 10 due to a similar injury. Samsung enlisted Chan Do Park in the first team ahead of Friday's game with Lotte.

Samsung Lions Expected Lineup:

SP - Tae In Won

1. Sang Su Kim

2. Ja Wook Koo

3. Hak Ju Lee

4. Won Seok Lee

5. Seong Gon Lee

6. Sung Gyu Lee

7. Hae Min Park

8. Min Ho Kang

9. Seung Gyu Park

NC Dinos Expected Lineup:

SP - Drew Rucinski

1. Min Woo Park

2. Myung Gi Lee

3. Sung Bum Na

4. Eui Ji Yang

5. Suk Min Park

6. Jin Sung Kang

7. Jin Hyuk No

8. Aaron Altherr

9. Hee Dong Kwon

Top picks:

Aaron Altherr, NC Dinos: Altherr has been one of the biggest offensive threats in the Dinos lineup this season, and he has also found success against the Lions' pitching staff. The former MLBer is hitting .292 with a .320 on-base percentage and three home runs in 24 at-bats against Samsung.

Sung Bum Na, Dinos: Na is only hitting .222 in 27 at-bats against the Lions in 2020, but he has been extremely productive all year long. He is among the top runs producers in the KBO with 51, seventh-best mark in the league and second-best in the Dinos behind Altherr's 60.

Won Seok Lee, Lions: Lee has been one of the most consistent run producers in Samsung's lineup and has been a major threat when it comes to drive runners home – he is hitting a robust .383 with runners in scoring position while also adding 49 RBI in 184 at-bats.

Drew Rucinski, Dinos: Rucinski has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the KBO this season, and the star hurler is coming off a sizzling stretch – he has gone 4-0 with a 0.69 ERA in 26 innings across his last four appearances.

Captaincy Options:

1. Aaron Altherr
2. Sung Bum Na
3. Won Seok Lee

Dream11 Team

P – Drew Rucinski

C – Tae Goon Kim

IF – Sang Su Kim

IF – Won Seok Lee

IF – Jin Hyuk No

IF – Sung Pyo Kim

OF – Hee Dong Kwon

OF – Aaron Altherr (C)

OF – Sung Bum Na (VC)