Who knew the 3rd-place team would finish 9th? Manager learns again in 3rd year: 'Feel the importance of starters. Baseball is about pitchers.'

Last season's third-place team, the SSG Landers, are experiencing a dramatic downturn, currently battling at the bottom of the league. Their struggles this year are so pronounced that they could be considered the biggest upset of the 2026 season.

Manager Lee Sung-yong expressed deep accountability for the team's slump, stating before a game against the Lotte Giants on the 21st, "It's entirely my fault." His words came just before the Landers suffered a fourth consecutive loss following a late-game collapse against the Giants.

“

I feel the importance of starting pitchers a lot. Baseball is, after all, a game of pitchers.

The team's performance has led Lee to reflect on fundamental aspects of the game. "I feel the importance of starting pitchers a lot," he admitted. "Baseball is, after all, a game of pitchers."

This sentiment underscores the critical role of the starting rotation in the Landers' current predicament. Their inability to consistently get strong performances from their pitchers appears to be a major factor in their slide down the standings.

“

It's entirely my fault.