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Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another KBO DFS column. Have you caught KBO fever yet? It’s only been a few days but I’ve been enjoying these games and digging in deep to research these teams and players for you!
DraftKings and FanDuel will use the same scoring system that they do for MLB, however, the roster builds are much different on FanDuel. You must roster two infielders, two outfielders, and two utility players along with a pitcher for a total of only seven players on FanDuel. DraftKings has kept its normal MLB structure with two starting pitchers and an entire eight-hitter lineup for a total of ten players. Building lineups on each site is going to be very different.
Today, I'll be providing my KBO DFS lineup picks and analysis for this five-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel that locks at 4:00 AM on Saturday, May 9, 2020. Both DraftKings and FanDuel have large contests with big top prizes. DraftKings largest contest has a top prize of $20K to first and FanDuel has a contest with a top prize of $10K to first. Make sure you are also following me @Grownfool on Twitter!
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KBO DFS Pitchers
Strikeout rates are much lower in KBO. An average MLB K% would be among the league leaders in KBO. The lower strikeout numbers make innings and wins much more important for KBO DFS. Most of the league leaders in innings pitched last season were foreign pitchers.
Beware of pitchers who are may only pitch limited innings. This is especially important on FanDuel because of the quality start bonus. Today we expect bullpen games for a couple of teams. Hyun Hee Han did not start any games last season and only pitched three innings in his only exhibition game appearance. Only five of Ee Whan Kim's 11 appearances last season were at least five innings. Kim did not start any exhibition games and only pitched three innings in his sole appearance. Won Sam Jang only started three games last season and in only one did he pitch at least five innings.
Tae Hoon Kim - SK Starting P ($6700 DraftKings / $25 FanDuel)
Kim did not start any game last season but did throw 85 pitches in a five-inning exhibition start. Although Kim's inning may be limited, the strikeout upside makes him worth the risk as Kim was in the top 5 in KBO for SO/9.
Young Gyu Kim - NC Starting P ($4000 DraftKings / $24 FanDuel)
Kim threw a complete game shutout versus LG in his last start of the season and LG is below average against lefties. Most of Kim's 30 appearances last season were in relief and only two of his ten starts were quality. Kim did not start any exhibition games but did throw 69 pitches in his only appearance. Most of the starters today are below average and Kim is no exception. Kim's 1.7 WHIP was among the worst in KBO.
Other starters to consider are:
- Yong Chan Lee - Doosan Starting P ($8800 DraftKings / $27 FanDuel )
- Chan Gyu Lim - LG Starting P ($6900 DraftKings / $22 FanDuel)
KBO Top Hitter Stacks
KBO de-juiced the ball last season and power numbers declined. Building stacks around power hitters will be the key to success in KBO DFS. The best stacks are less likely to be straight 1-4 hitters and more likely to be something less traditional like skipping over multiple hitters in the order. Don't overlook hitters batting sixth and seventh especially in top offenses. Some teams also have hitters with speed batting ninth that function almost like a second leadoff hitter.
Doosan Bears
Jamsil is the most pitcher-friendly park in KBO so it's usually better to look elsewhere for your primary stack. This matchup is too good to overlook. Min Kim had three multi HR games last season including one in Jamsil. The bullpen has given up three HRs so far this season and the Wiz have the highest WHIP in the league.
Jae Il Oh led the team in HRs last season. Jose Miguel Fernandez has been red hot to start the season and has a 1.250 OPS. Jae Hwan Kim has a double and HR and hit 15 HRs last season. Kun Woo Park leads off and is a stolen base threat. So far this season he has one HR.
- Jose Miguel Fernandez - 1B/2B ($5600 DraftKings / $17 FanDuel)
- Jae Hwan Kim - 1B/OF ($4900 DraftKings / $13 FanDuel)
- Kun Woo Park - OF ($4700 DraftKings / $14 FanDuel)
- Jae Il Oh - 1B ($4200 DraftKings / $14 FanDuel)
Kiwoom Heroes
The starter for Hanwha doesn't often pitch deep into games. The Heroes should get to face the bullpen for most of the game. Kiwoom led the league in wOBA versus right-handers last season and continues to be one of the top offenses in KBO. Byungho Park, Jung Ho Lee , and Dong Won Park are middle of the order power bats. Ha Seong Kim led the team in steals last season and already has a SB and a HR this season. Keon Chong Seo leads off and has speed and doubles power. So far this season, Seo has two extra-base hits and a steal.
- Byung Ho Park - 1B ($5200 DraftKings / $14 FanDuel)
- Jung Ho Lee - OF ($4800 DraftKings / $13 FanDuel)
- Ha Seong Kim - SS ($4900 DraftKings / $14 FanDuel)
- Keon Chong Seo - 1B/2B ($3000 DraftKings / $11 FanDuel)
- Dong Won Park - C ($4100 DraftKings / $9 FanDuel)
Other stacks to consider:
- NC Dinos
- Samsung Lions
Conclusion
- Starting lineups will not be released until one hour before lock. Note the start time of these contests and be prepared to stay up late or get up early. Most lineups have been close to what we expected for most teams especially the top and middle of the order.
- Go easy on these early in the season slates and have some fun with it. There's going to be a learning curve here for everyone with a new sport like this and you don't want to play more bankroll than you're comfortable with on players you've never heard of before.
- Use familiar MLB DFS strategies like stacking and picking on bad pitchers. Once we get to know these teams better and get more data on hitters and pitchers we should be able to have a better indication of who we want to target on a nightly basis.
- Good luck and have some fun! Just be thankful that baseball, in some form, is back!
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