Chunichi Dragons' manager Kazuki (53) has set his sight on achieving a 50% win rate for away games this season, stating, "I really want to set the goal of winning 50% away, not just at Koshien but also at Yokohama, Mazda, or Jingu." He plans to pick up as many wins as possible on the road to improve the team's chances.
The open game against the Hanshin Tigers, scheduled for March 4, 2025, at Koshien Stadium, was called off due to rain. Last season, Chunichi struggled at Koshien, finishing with zero wins, ten losses, and one draw. Back then, they found themselves at the top of the standings for the first time in eight years after extending their winning streak to six games, but they quickly fell from grace with three consecutive losses to Hanshin starting April 19.
Despite knowing its historical woes, manager Kazuki remains positive, insisting, "It's not like I want to focus on Koshien alone or think about last season. Both the weaker and strong points matter. I want to win all away games steadily." Yet, Chunichi has had difficulty performing away historically. The last time the team achieved equal wins and losses on the road was back in 2013 with 35 wins, 35 losses, and two draws.
During the glorious era under manager Ochiai, when Chunichi clinched the championship for the first time since 1954, their away record stood at 33 wins, 37 losses, and two draws. Subsequently, the team has repeatedly earned the reputation of being dominant at home yet struggling on the road over recent years.
Manager Kazuki acknowledged the challenges of last season, where failing to win at Koshien added to their operational burden, leading to 18 games below .500. "I understand we didn’t win any games there last year. Everyone knows pain, but we believe we can bounce back, including overcoming Koshien. We don't want to dwell on the negatives. Our motto for this season is ‘Dora Positivity’—we must think positively," he remarked.
"It’s about how I utilize our starting pitchers to realize our goal. I want to push for a good win total not just at Koshien, but also everywhere else, like at Tokyo Dome and Jingu—every potential battlefield counts to help build on our winning mindset," he concluded, emphasizing the need to develop new strategies and resilience.
Chunichi hopes to deliver the first victory of the season to its fans at Koshien as they prepare for another game against Hanshin on March 5, 2025, even if it is merely during the preseason. To the loyal Dragons supporters, it’s about time they tasted success at this traditional stronghold.