A novice coach threw a game-winner. It's a huge success even if it goes to the 5th round, but the last support, Ohna

Aug 19, 2025

A novice coach threw a game-winner. It's a huge success even if it goes to the 5th round, but the last support, Ohna
A game between the Doosan Bears and the NC Dinos at Jamsil Stadium on the 14th. Coach Lee Ho-joon is watching the game. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.08.14/



Foreign pitchers take a four-day break. Coach Lee Ho-joon threw a winning move. Will he be able to join the last support group.

The NC Dinos will play three consecutive home games during the week against the Samsung Lions at Changwon NC Park from the 19th. NC predicted Riley Thompson as the starting pitcher on the first day of the three consecutive games.

Riley takes the mound after a four-day break. After pitching four runs in six innings against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil on the 14th, he took four days off and will take the mound again on the same day. Coach Lee Ho-joon turned Riley and Logan Allen on the 4th in the remaining second half of the season. Therefore, he declared in a surprise move that he would take the mound after a four-day break.




The average starting pitcher takes about five days off on average. After a five-day break, the mound is the most comfortable, and only if you take two appearances on Tuesday and Sunday in a week, you take a four-day break. If the rotation changes due to the cancellation of rain, it is often the case that they take six days off.

However, giving foreign pitchers a four-day break and allowing them to take the mound in as many games as possible is a clear winning move. Coach Lee Ho-joon said, "As we actually entered mid-August, the four-day turn for foreigners has already been activated." Riley had been considering a four-day turn since last week, but he was able to take the mound after a five-day break as one game was canceled due to rain. Logan has already taken the mound after a four-day break. After taking the mound against the KIA Tigers on the 10th, he took four days off and took the mound against the Hanwha Eagles on the 15th. Foreign pitchers have also agreed to take the mound after a four-day break.

A novice coach threw a game-winner. It's a huge success even if it goes to the 5th round, but the last support, Ohna
A game between the Doosan Bears and the NC Dinos at Jamsil Stadium on the 14th. NC Riley is pitching hard. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.08.14/
The reason for this kind of winning move is, after all, grades. Beyond predictions that it will continue the 'rebuilding' system this season, NC is in fierce competition for rankings. As of Wednesday, the team tied for fifth with the Kia Tigers and the KT Wiz. It has a winning rate of 50 percent each. It's not very favorable, but it's not unfavorable. NC is currently the team with the most games left out of the 10 clubs. As of the 18th, there are 36 games left. This also means that there are still the most opportunities left for 'to win'.




That's why NC intends to leave more games to the two strongest starting pitchers. Currently, NC cannot trust domestic starters with any certainty. There is Shin Min-hyuk, the third starter, but it is still difficult to give a definite answer for the fourth and fifth starters. Of course, it is hard to guarantee how the four-day break will ultimately affect Logan and Riley's pitching results, but it is a chance.

A novice coach threw a game-winner. It's a huge success even if it goes to the 5th round, but the last support, Ohna
The match between NC and Hanwha at Changwon NC Park on the 15th. NC Logan pitching. Changwon = Reporter Song Jeong-heon @sportschosun.com/2025.08.15/
The first year of director Lee Ho-joon's appointment. Although he has experienced many trials and errors as a novice coach, his temperament as a matchmaker is clear. Just advancing to the semifinals in his first season after taking office as a new coach is a huge success. Furthermore, NC had a shocking incident in which spectators were killed in a structure crash earlier this season, and made its current performance despite unfavorable conditions such as the game schedule. Just entering the 5th round can be evaluated as successful in terms of team performance. It's time to step on the axel.

The key is the bullpen, which is building up fatigue. In the end, Logan and Riley have to endure as long innings as possible even if they come out often, which is the biggest variable and question mark.




Attention should also be paid to the possibility of Koo Chang-mo's dramatic last-minute joining. According to the remaining game schedule announced by KBO on the 19th, NC has to play almost non-stop until September 30. Koo Chang-mo, who has been delayed in his return since the release of the call-up, is reportedly burning his will to return to the first-team mound before the end of the season.

Manager Lee Ho-joon thinks "A player who doesn't exist now," but if Koo Chang-mo is not selected, there is a way to contribute to the bullpen. I wonder if he'll even take out the last card.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.