DFSGhost 
KBO Matchups
- HAN @ LOT
- KIA @ KTW
- DOO @ NCD
- SK @ LG
- KIW @ SAM
Kings ofthe Hill
WarwickSaupold (R), HAN – $9,500 DK / $27 FD
This KBO slate starts and ends at the top of the pricing grid for me. Beginning with Hyun Jong Yang of the KIA Tigers, you have a southpaw that is not only drawing MLB attention, but is widely considered to be one of, if not the best pitcher in the KBO. However, Yang draws the KT Wiz and their right-handed power bats tonight; paying $10,100 for someone pitching against Mel Rojas Jr. and company is just not something I want to target. So, we’re on to the next best option, that being Warrick Saupold of the Hanwha Eagles. Hanwha recently underwent a massive overhaul, from coaching staff to roster players and look to start their new tenure on a good note tonight. Am I saying they’ll beat Lotte? Not necessarily, but Lotte is no powerhouse, and if there’s ever a chance to squeak out a win, it’s tonight. Saupold won’t wow you with his strikeout rate (11.6% and 4.39 K/9) but where he does excel is with his command (5.8% walk rate) and limiting opposing batters’ power (0.22 HR/9). He hasn’t topped 5 strikeouts in a start yet this KBO season, limiting his upside on DK, but I’ll gladly take the raw points against a mediocre Giants lineup and move on.
Casey Kelly(R), LG – $8,800 DK / $24 FD
At the time of writing, I was thrilled to flaunt a GPP play in Min Ho Lee of the LG Twins only to see that Casey Kelly was later listed as starting. The KBO pitching options get sloppy when you get to the 7k-and-below range on DK and Min Ho Lee was the perfect GPP dart at only $5,100, but we now have a legitimate KBO ace to replace him. Albeit the inflated price tag, Kelly makes for an elite option tonight versus SK and has shown to be a great KBO DFS play despite the poor outing in his last start. Kelly’s 6.32 ERA does not do him justice when his FIP sits at 3.47 to go along with a 2-1 record, 20.5% strikeout rate, and 8% walk rate. The SK bats have been coming alive as of late, but tonight will be a different story.
GPP Options:Young Gun Jo (R), KIW
TheBatter’s Box
Doosan Bears
While NC pitcher Sung Young Choi does not have the greatest sample size yet this KBO season, I’ve seen enough to know that Doosan has the ability to get to him early and often. Choi flirts with both starts and relief appearances but is much better suited for the bullpen. He struggles mightily with the deep ball (2.57 HR/9) and his ERA (5.14) and FIP (8.44) speak for themselves. In a hitter’s park, Doosan will likely draw a lot of ownership, but I think it is good chalk, and nothing stops you from getting different in GPPs by fading Jose Fernandez or Jae Il Oh for the GPP pivot option listed below.
Topoptions: Jose Fernandez (1B/2B), Jae Il Oh (1B), Jae Hwan Kim (OF/1B), Jae HoKim (SS)
GPP Pivots:Joo Hwan Choi (1B/2B)
LG Twins
While opposing pitcher Geon Wook Lee hasn’t been abysmal in 4 starts, his pitch count is what makes me have intrigue for the Twins on tonight’s KBO slate. Yes, Lee has a 20% strikeout rate and limited Doosan to a single run in 5.1 innings of work, but his ERA of 4.63 and FIP of 4.01 indicate that we’re dealing with a volatile pitcher, as seen in his most recent performance versus NCD. In 4 starts, Lee has pitched 12, 39, 73, and 63 times. He’s pitched versus LG twice this season, going for a combined 3.1 innings, allowing a single hit and walk while striking out 5, not bad, right? So why am I saying to play LG then? Well, how many runs did the Twins put up in those two games you may ask? 23. Yes, 23, in the very same LG park they are playing at tonight. With KBO bullpens being as bad as they are, we should see a minimum of 3+ innings of SK relievers for the LG Twins to go nuts on, if not more. If they get to Lee early on, look out.
TopOptions: Roberto Ramos (1B), Hyun Soo Kim (OF), Eun Sung Chae (OF)
ComplementaryOptions: Min Sung Kim (3B), Kang Nam Yoo (C)
HonorableMentions: NC Dinos, KIA Tigers, KIW Heroes
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