The upcoming Asian Games present a unique situation for the NC Dinos, potentially creating an advantage or disadvantage depending on how the team navigates the extended break. Unlike other Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) teams, the Dinos will be the only club without any additional scheduled rest days during this period.
Asian Games Break Schedule and NC Dinos’ Situation
The KBO recently announced the schedule for the national team’s participation in the Asian Games, which includes a roughly two-week hiatus from regular season games. This break is slated to run from September 14th to September 27th. During this interval, a total of 12 regular season games will be postponed across the league. However, the NC Dinos are the sole team with all 12 of their scheduled games falling within this break period, meaning they will have no additional off-days beyond the standard Mondays.
This unique scheduling makes the NC Dinos the team with the most significant disruption to their regular season flow. While other teams will have some games postponed and potentially gain extra rest, the Dinos will play all their scheduled games, albeit with a gap in their normal routine.
Player Representation in the National Team
The impact of the Asian Games on individual teams is also influenced by player call-ups to the national squad. The NC Dinos have the fewest players selected for the national team compared to other KBO clubs. Currently, only starting pitcher Kim Joo-won has been named to the roster. This minimal representation means the Dinos will retain the vast majority of their core players during the break.
In contrast, other teams face more significant player losses. Doosan Bears will be without key players Kwak Bin and Choi Min-seok. KT Wiz will miss closer Kim Jae-yoon and starting pitcher Park Young-hyun. KIA Tigers’ lineup will be without their core hitter Kim Do-young. This disparity in player availability could present an opportunity for the NC Dinos to gain ground in the standings.
NC Dinos’ Current Standing and Opportunities
As of September 25th, the NC Dinos are in 8th place in the KBO standings, having played 106 games. They are currently 8 games behind the 5th-place Doosan Bears. With many of their key players remaining available while rivals are depleted, this period could be crucial for the Dinos to close the gap and improve their playoff chances.
Manager Lee Dong-wook’s Perspective
Despite the potential advantages stemming from fewer player call-ups and the league’s scheduling, NC Dinos manager Lee Dong-wook remains grounded. He emphasized that he does not consider the situation to be inherently advantageous for his team.
Speaking before a game against LG, Manager Lee stated, “It’s not that any team becomes more advantageous just because someone is absent. We need to maintain our consistent performance. I’ve never once thought that we might have an advantage.”
He further elaborated on the unpredictable nature of baseball, explaining, “Sometimes, even when a team’s ace is unavailable and a substitute pitcher starts for them, while our ace pitches, we still lose those games. Baseball isn’t a sport where you win or lose simply because someone is missing. A new player always steps up.” This sentiment highlights the manager’s focus on his team’s own execution rather than relying on opponents’ circumstances.
Travel and Logistics During the Break
Beyond player availability, the NC Dinos also face unique logistical challenges related to travel during the break. As a team based in Changwon, they are known, along with Busan Lotte, for having some of the longest travel distances in the league. When games are scheduled in Seoul or Incheon, and then followed by games in Gwangju or Busan, the physical toll on players can be substantial.
The Dinos’ schedule during this break involves a series of road games before returning home. Following a homestand in Changwon, they are set to play one game in Busan, then travel to Daegu for a single game, followed by two games in Suwon. After these road trips, they will return to Changwon for a three-game homestand to conclude their schedule.
Despite the extensive travel, Manager Lee Dong-wook found a silver lining, noting the absence of extremely long, multi-day bus journeys. “When we go to Changwon and then to Seoul, there aren’t any 4-hour bus rides,” he remarked with a smile. “I consider that fortunate.” This suggests that while the travel is significant, it avoids the most draining forms of transit, which he views as a small positive amidst the broader scheduling adjustments.
Conclusion
The NC Dinos are in a peculiar position as the KBO’s only team playing through the entire Asian Games break without additional rest days. While the minimal national team call-ups could offer a competitive edge, Manager Lee Dong-wook’s focus remains firmly on his team’s performance and consistency. The club must manage the demanding travel schedule while striving to capitalize on the opportunity to climb the standings during this unique juncture of the season.
