“We will prepare well and play autumn baseball at a higher level next year,” SSG Landers manager Lee Sung-yong said on October 10, 2026, according to OSEN. Speaking at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field ahead of his club’s regular-season finale against the Kia Tigers, the manager addressed the final standings and looked squarely at the offseason.
A Sixth-Place Finish and Missing October
SSG wrapped up the 2026 campaign with a 5-8 loss to Kia. The result locked the club into a final record of 65 wins, 74 losses, and 5 draws for a .468 winning percentage.The finish left the team in sixth place. It marks the second year the Landers have missed the postseason, following a third-place finish in 2025.
A Historic Losing Skid Derails the First Half
Lee pointed to a turbulent first half as the primary hurdle that derailed the season. The slide was highlighted by a franchise-record 13-game losing streak running from a May 17 game against the LG Twins through a June 2 defeat against the Kiwoom Heroes.A subsequent nine-game skid later in June pushed the club further down the standings before a second-half surge stabilized the roster.
Lee Admits Fault in Bullpen Management
Reflecting on the early struggles, Lee admitted fault in how the pitching staff was handled during those extended slumps. Trying desperately to snap the skids, the coaching staff leaned heavily on relief pitchers, often calling upon multiple arms in high-leverage situations with runners on base.Once the team returned to basics and assigned relievers to strict single-inning workloads, the bullpen performance normalized.
Solidified Rotation Drives Second Half Turnaround
The second half brought a noticeable turnaround, driven largely by a solidified starting rotation. New foreign acquisition Avila delivered dominant performances, while former reliever Lee Ro-woon successfully transitioned into a reliable starter.Mid-season addition Kim Min-jun contributed steady play, and pitcher Kim Gun-woo collected nine wins.
Lee Plans to Expand Starting Depth
Looking toward roster management for the upcoming year, Lee outlined plans to expand the starting depth while addressing lingering needs in the field. The club intends to build a group of up to seven viable starters, incorporating reinforcements alongside Kim Kwang-hyun—who is expected to return to form following a standard spring training recovery from injury—while maintaining three or four depth options in the second tier.At the same time, the manager signaled an intensive autumn training camp aimed at addressing bench depth in the infield and outfield, specifically noting that the right-fielder position requires significant development. Regular rest days for players will be reduced as the organization prepares for a rigorous offseason schedule.
Fan Support Amid Disappointment
Despite missing the postseason, SSG drew 1.2 million fans to the ballpark over the course of the year. Lee opened his remarks by apologizing to the fan base for the disappointing win-loss record while expressing gratitude for the attendance figures.Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.
