This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy KBO series.
NC Dinos (44-19-2) at KT Wiz (32-33-1)
Saturday, July 25th, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Mike Wright (6-2, 3.84 ERA) vs RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (6-5, 4.63 ERA)
Game Preview
The Dinos remain the team to beat in the KBO this season, and they sit comfortably at the top of the standings with a 44-19-2 record. Meanwhile, the Wiz have been very inconsistent, and they own a 32-33-1 record. KT must get into a good run of results – otherwise, their playoff chances might evaporate sooner than later. The pitching matchup here features two of the best pitchers in the KBO this season in Mike Wright and Odrisamer Despaigne, although Wright has better numbers, a better offense behind him, and he also has the advantage of having positive results against the Wiz earlier this year. While Wright has gone 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA against KT, Despaigne has gone 0-2 with an 8.62 ERA in his previous outings against the Dinos in 2020.
Injuries:
KT Wiz
Dae Eun Lee - Out - Side
7/3 1:30 AM IST - Lee (side) threw a 45-pitch simulated game Thursday, Taewoo Kim of SpoTVNews.co.kr reports. Lee experienced no side discomfort during the throwing session, so he's expected to join the Wiz's Futures League affiliate as soon as Sunday to begin a rehab assignment. The right-handed reliever has not pitched for the Wiz since May 19 due to the injury, so he may need an appearance or two in the Futures League before rejoining
NC Dinos (44-19-2) at KT Wiz (32-33-1)
Saturday, July 25th, 5:00 AM EDT
Projected starters
RHP Mike Wright (6-2, 3.84 ERA) vs RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (6-5, 4.63 ERA)
Game Preview
The Dinos remain the team to beat in the KBO this season, and they sit comfortably at the top of the standings with a 44-19-2 record. Meanwhile, the Wiz have been very inconsistent, and they own a 32-33-1 record. KT must get into a good run of results – otherwise, their playoff chances might evaporate sooner than later. The pitching matchup here features two of the best pitchers in the KBO this season in Mike Wright and Odrisamer Despaigne, although Wright has better numbers, a better offense behind him, and he also has the advantage of having positive results against the Wiz earlier this year. While Wright has gone 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA against KT, Despaigne has gone 0-2 with an 8.62 ERA in his previous outings against the Dinos in 2020.
Injuries:
KT Wiz
Dae Eun Lee - Out - Side
7/3 1:30 AM IST - Lee (side) threw a 45-pitch simulated game Thursday, Taewoo Kim of SpoTVNews.co.kr reports. Lee experienced no side discomfort during the throwing session, so he's expected to join the Wiz's Futures League affiliate as soon as Sunday to begin a rehab assignment. The right-handed reliever has not pitched for the Wiz since May 19 due to the injury, so he may need an appearance or two in the Futures League before rejoining the big club. Once he's activated, Lee could be a candidate to close for the Wiz with Jae Yoon Kim (6.05 ERA, 1.71 WHIP in 19.1 innings) having struggled in that role so far this season.
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 - 10-Day IL - Back
7/22 3:28 PM IST - Yang was placed on the injured list Wednesday with a back injury, Chan Ik Son of The Korea Daily reports. NC promoted Hyung Joon Kim before Wednesday's scheduled game against Samsung. Team manager Dong Wook Lee is reportedly unsure of when his star catcher may return, so Yang will continue receiving treatment in Seoul until further notice.
NC Dinos Expected Lineup:
SP - Mike Wright
1. Min Woo Park
3. Sung Bum Na
6. Suk Min Park
7. Jin Hyuk No
8. Chang Min Mo
9. Tae Goon Kim
KT Wiz Expected Lineup:
SP - Odrisamer Despaigne
3. Mel Rojas
4. Baek Ho Kang
5. Han Joon Yoo
9. Woo Jun Sim
Top picks:
Mel Rojas, Wiz: Rojas should be an automatic presence in most lineups due to the incredible season he's having in 2020. The slugging outfielder is riding a three-game hitting streak and is boasting an impressive .437 average in 71 July at-bats. He also has seven homers and 18 RBI during the current month.
Sung Bum Na, Dinos: Na continues to be one of the best offensive players in the league and is coming off two straight games with a home run. He has four home runs and nine RBI while hitting for .362 in 58 July at-bats.
Aaron Altherr, Dinos: Altherr has hit safely in seven of his last 10 games, and he might be hitting just .262 during that stretch but remains a key piece in the Dinos' scorching-hot offense. He has four home runs and 10 RBI during that stretch.
Baek Ho Kang, Wiz: Kang is only hitting for .233 in his last 11 games, but he remains one of the best hitters in the Wiz lineup. He has 12 homers and 36 RBI across 51 games this season.
Captaincy Options:
Dream11 Team
P – Mike Wright
C – Tae Goon Kim
IF – Won Jae Lee
IF – Jin Hyuk No
IF – Seong Ho Chun
OF – Sung Bum Na (VC)
OF – Aaron Altherr (C)
OF – Baek Ho Kang
OF – Mel Rojas
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.
