In an unlikely reversal of fortune, Samsung benefited from some late inning magic with a walk-off win over the first place NC Dinos on a pinch hit single against the KBO’s league leader in saves:

 

After a slow start, Samsung’s won three straight and its import hitter Tyler Saladino could be heating up as well going 2-for-4 with a run on Friday. Saladino moved his modest hit streak to three games. Noting the KBO differs from the major leagues, Kia sported these jerseys:

 

Contrary to belief on Twitter, they do not represent margarita’s on a Friday. Rather, Ramsar’s a project to protect wetlands in South Korea. With all five games taking place, it’s time to recap them in the Round Up. 

Starting Pitcher Spotlight

Representing Kiwoom’s stopper in the staff, Eric Jokisch snapped the team’s four game losing streak firing seven strong innings giving up five hits, one run (zero earned) and a walk with nine strikeouts. Jokisch moved to 4-0 on the year tied for first in wins in the KBO and second in ERA (0.90) with a minuscule 0.87 WHIP in a league predicated on contact. 

Dinos starter Drew Rucinski received a no-decision as a result of the Samsung rally. Rucinski tossed seven innings allowing six hits, three runs (two earned) and struck out seven. Perhaps staying in a bit long, Rucinski served up three straight hits starting the top of the seventh leading to three runs. Still, he owns a 30:7 K:BB through 32.1 innings this season with a 2.51 ERA and 1.18 WHIP for NC with three wins. 

Woo-chan Choi evened his record at 2-2 working six innings yielding six hits and one earned run with five strikeouts for the LG Twins.

Tae-hoon Kim notched his first win of 2020 logging five innings ceding five hits, two earned runs and two walks with three strikeouts for the SK Wyverns. His bullpen almost blew it late but held on for an 8-6 victory. 

Pitching to contact in the KBO plays to Raul Alcantara ’s arsenal and he won his fourth game of the year in five decisions for Doosan. He threw six innings allowing nine hits, two earned runs and three walks with four strikeouts. His ERA moved to 3.90 but his 1.47 WHIP without many strikeouts caps his upside in DFS contests. 

Hitter Highlights

LG Twins

In what seems like an almost daily occurrence, Roberto Ramos homered in an LG Twins win:

 

He’s homered in four of his last five contests, leads the KBO in home runs with 10, slugging percentage (.827), total bases (62), on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS - 1.280) and moved to third in RBI (21) through 21 games this season. In a league where many pitchers try to keep the ball down, this plays to Ramos’ strength evidenced by the chart in this tweet: 

 

Most impressive, Ramos’ ability to drive the ball to the opposite field makes him a monster in the KBO hitting .373 in his first 86 plate appearances. His teammates also chipped in during the Twins fifth straight win: 

  • Hyun-Soo Kim (OF) - Went 1-for-3 with two runs and a walk. He moved into fourth in the KBO in average (.407) and tied for second in hits (35). 

  • Eun-sung Chae (OF) - Launched his fourth home run driving in three runs in four at-bats. 

Kia Tigers

  • Hyung-woo Choi (DH) - Recorded a double dong day going 2-for-4 hitting his third and fourth home runs of the season. Choi owns a .535 slugging percentage over his previous three seasons with 68 home runs so more power could be on tap soon. 

Doosan Bears

  • Kyoung-min Hur (3B) - Racked up a combo meal going 2-for-2 with two runs, his second home run, an RBI, walked and stole his third base. 

  • Kuh-woo Park (OF) - Drove in two runs, doubled, scored a run on a hit in two at-bats. 

Kiwoom Heroes

  • Keon-chang Seo (2B) - Reached base twice going 1-for-2 with a run and walked. He’s hitting .321 atop the lineup for Kiwoom

  • Jung-hoo Lee (OF) - Went 2-for-4 with two runs, doubled and walked. Lee’s sweet swing comes with a robust .361/.433/.627 slash and he’s walked (11) more than he’s struck out (6) this season. 

  • Dong-won Park (C) - Tallied two more RBI moving his total to 17 this year during a 1-for3 day at the dish. 

KT Wiz

  • Jeong-dae Bae (OF) - Extended his hit streak to 14 games in style going 4-for-4 with a double. During his streak, Bae’s hitting .471 (24-for-51) with 10 runs, eight doubles, 12 RBI, two steals and four walks. He’s now third in the KBO in average (.411). 

NC Dinos

Speaking of hot, Sung-bum Na left the yard once again on Friday: 

 

He’s on a six game hit streak with 12 hits in his last 21 at-bats (.571) scoring seven runs with three doubles, three home runs, nine RBI and three walks. Na’s tied for the KBO lead in runs (20) and second in home runs (7). During a loss, these Dinos also shined:

  • Eui-ji Yang (C) - Went 1-for-3 with two runs and a walk. He’s hitting .328 on the year. 

  • Jin-hyuk No (SS) - A steaky player but appears to be heating up once again going 3-for-4 on Friday with a run and an RBI. He’s fourth on NC with 13 RBI. 

SK Wyverns

It’s been a strong week for Jeong Choi and he also hit his first home run since May 8th on Friday: 

 

Choi finished 2-for-4 with two runs, his second home run and drove in two. This week he’s racked up multiple hit games in three of four contests going 6-for-12 with two doubles, the home run, five RBI and walked five times. Still below the Mendoza line (.191 average), Choi’s on the upswing for a struggling Wyverns squad desperate for his power. Suring to eight runs, here’s the other notable performances from Friday by SK’s hitters:

  • Soo-kwang Noh (OF) - Tallied two hits including his first home run driving in two along with scoring two runs and walked. Noh’s hit in six straight games with four multi-hit games in it going 11-for-his-last-27 with seven runs, three extra-base hits and a stolen base. 

  • Jin-gi Jeong (OF) - Went 2-for-4 with a run, two RBI and stole his second base. 

  • Hyun Jung (SS) - Launched his first home run during a 2-for-4 day driving in one. 

Hanwha Eagles

  • Jin-ho Jung (OF) - Notched four hits in five at-bats with a run, an RBI and stole his second base. 

  • Si-hwan Noh (SS) - Racked up a double and his third home run driving in one over four at-bats while scoring two runs. 

  • Jared Hoying (OF) - Made his last at-bat count driving in two runs in the top of the ninth. Hoying finished 1-for-4 with a walk in five plate appearances. 

Looking ahead to Saturday, four games will count in the main slate of DFS excluding the LG Twins at Kia Tigers tilt starting three hours earlier than the other contests. A battle of import pitchers looms in Samsung with David Buchanon facing the NC Dinos’ Mike Wright . Ricardo Pinto owns one win so far and it came against Hanwha who he’ll face again on Saturday. Be sure to stay with Fantasy Alarm to remain ahead of the competition. 

Also, more good news for KBO fans with this announcement by ESPN: 

 

Coffee and the KBO continues to be a necessary escape during these tumultuous times. 

 

Statistical Credits

myKBOstats.com

Eng.koreabaseball.com