This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
KT Wiz (1-4) at NC Dinos (4-1)
Tuesday, May 12, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs RHP Drew Rucinski (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
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 Wiz struggled to start the season but got their bats going in two games against the Bears over the weekend, scoring 12 runs in both contests. Poor pitching in Sunday's game meant they dropped that game 13-12, however, leaving them stuck at one win on the season. The Dinos won their first four games and looked to be en route to their fifth straight following a six-run first inning against the Twins on Sunday, but a bullpen collapse saw them wind up with their first loss of the campaign. Aaron Altherr and Park Suk-min returned from brief injury-related absences for that contest, though star catcher Yang Eui-ji pulled up with an apparent hamstring issue late in the game. On the mound for Tuesday's series opener will be a pair of pitchers with MLB experience. The Wiz's Odrisamer Despaigne headed overseas this winter after recording a 5.11 ERA in parts of six seasons. He threw six strong innings in his season debut against the Giants, striking out eight and walking none. The Dinos' Drew Rucinski is beginning his second year in the KBO. He posted an excellent 3.05 ERA
KT Wiz (1-4) at NC Dinos (4-1)
Tuesday, May 12, 5:30 AM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (0-0, 1.50 ERA) vs RHP Drew Rucinski (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
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 Wiz struggled to start the season but got their bats going in two games against the Bears over the weekend, scoring 12 runs in both contests. Poor pitching in Sunday's game meant they dropped that game 13-12, however, leaving them stuck at one win on the season. The Dinos won their first four games and looked to be en route to their fifth straight following a six-run first inning against the Twins on Sunday, but a bullpen collapse saw them wind up with their first loss of the campaign. Aaron Altherr and Park Suk-min returned from brief injury-related absences for that contest, though star catcher Yang Eui-ji pulled up with an apparent hamstring issue late in the game. On the mound for Tuesday's series opener will be a pair of pitchers with MLB experience. The Wiz's Odrisamer Despaigne headed overseas this winter after recording a 5.11 ERA in parts of six seasons. He threw six strong innings in his season debut against the Giants, striking out eight and walking none. The Dinos' Drew Rucinski is beginning his second year in the KBO. He posted an excellent 3.05 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in his first season for the Dinos and started his 2020 campaign with six scoreless innings against the Lions.
Injuries
Mo Chang-min, Dinos - Day-To-Day - Shoulder
5/10 1:24 AM EDT - Mo (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the LG Twins, according to the Dinos' official Twitter account. Mo injured his shoulder in the last game the Dinos' played Friday, and he will not start Sunday as a result. Lee Won-jae will get the start at first base in Mo's place.
Yang Eui-ji, Dinos - Day-To-Day - Hamstring
5/10 5:51 AM EDT - Yang was lifted for a pinch runner in the ninth inning of Sunday's game against the LG Twins. He doubled to bring the tying run to the plate, but as he rounded first, Yang grabbed at the back of his hamstring and slowed up as he pulled in to second base. This would be a major blow to the Dinos if it's more than a day-to-day issue as Yang is the cleanup hitter and one of the best players in the league. He went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored Sunday.
KT Wiz Expected Lineup
SP - Odrisamer Despaigne
1. Sim Woo-joon
2. Kim Min-hyeok
3. Kang Baek-ho
4. Yoo Han-joon
5. Mel Rojas
6. Hwang Jae-gyun
7. Park Kyung-soo
8. Jang Seong-woo
9. Bae Jeong-dae
NC Dinos Expected Lineup
SP - Drew Rucinski
1. Park Min-woo
3. Na Sung-bum
4. Yang Eui-ji
5. Park Suk-min
6. Mo Chang-min
7. No Jin-hyuk
8. Kim Sung-wook
9. Lee Myung-gi
Top Picks
Odrisamer Despaigne, Wiz: Both pitchers have MLB experience, both looked good in their season debuts, and both are facing top-three offenses in terms of runs per game so far this season. With little to separate the two, grabbing Despaigne and saving three credits seems to be the way to go, especially considering the injury questions which surround the Dinos at the moment.
Kang Baek-ho, Wiz: Kang is one of the best hitters in the KBO and is still just 20 years old. He won Rookie of the Year at age 18 in 2018 and improved his OPS from .879 to .911 in his second season even as offense fell off throughout the league.
Mel Rojas, Wiz: Rojas produced excellent numbers in his first three seasons in South Korea, hitting at least .305 each season while slugging at least .530. He's shown no signs of slowing down through his first five games this year, posting a .455/.500/.773 slash line.
Park Min-woo, Dinos: The Dinos' leadoff hitter comes in at a remarkably cheap eight credits, making him a very easy inclusion. He's hit no lower than .298 in any of the past six seasons and is starting out 2020 much the same way, hitting .300 through his first five games.
Captaincy Options
1. Kang Baek-ho
2. Mel Rojas
3. Na Sung-bum
Dream11 Team
C Jang Sung-woo
IF No Jin-Hyuk
IF Park Min-woo
OF Mel Rojas (VC)
OF Kang Baek-ho (C)
OF Bae Jeong-dae
OF Kim Sung-wook
