On the 24th, Softbank manager Hiroki Kokubo held a press conference the day before the start of the SMBC Japan Series 2025. Kondo, who missed the CS due to a left flank injury, has also returned, and he hinted at using starting line-up as a DH in the starting lineup, saying, "We can put together an order that's close to the best." He also named each of the starting pitchers, giving a general preview of pitcher will be pitching.

Below are the main questions and answers:

-How do you feel ahead of the Japan Series?

"We were fighting hard until Monday, so I feel like I can keep up that momentum and I'm feeling relatively calm."

-Based on last year, how will you compete in the Japan Series?

"In order to win, it's important to bring it to our own game. This year, the The Hawks' style of baseball was to close the game with Fujii, Matsumoto, and Sugiyama, who all performed well from the middle of the season onwards. I think it's most important to bring it to that form."

-To that end.

"Unless the starting pitcher can control the game properly, they can't gain an advantage. Hanshin Tigers 's batting lineup doesn't require the opposing team to announce their starting pitcher in advance, and it doesn't matter whether they're right-handed or left-handed up to the fifth batter. The starting pitcher has to control the game against this powerful batting lineup. That's the condition."

-How are pitcher, including Moinelo, doing after working at full capacity in the CS?

"Moinelo said that he's recovered from a lot of his fatigue. Whether it's Arihara or Uesawa, the ozekis have had plenty of time between their fights. Moinelo was the one who was worried, but he said that he's recovered from the fatigue."

-What is your impression of Hanshin Tigers?

"The batting lineup is made up of the first-round draft picks. They're already in midfield, I think. There are some young players, but they're at the core of the team and the core is solid. As for pitcher, I watched Murakami-kun at Naruohama when I was manager of the second team, and I was impressed that he could grow to that level. There's also Saiki, who has a hard fastball, and I think it's important not to play Ishii, who hardly allowed any runs during the season, or closer Iwasaki."

-What are the key points of attack?

"Ideally, we would have a fixed lineup, with regulars decided and reserves playing the role of reserves, but this year that collapsed early in the season, so we've been playing more flexibly and adapting to the situation. I'd like to play the series with flexibility rather than a set format."

-Which hitter holds the key?

"Of course, all of our players are key players. I think they will be required to play a role in batting order. We had some injuries, but we can probably put together an order that's close to the best. The ideal situation would be for starting line-up starters to score early on, which would then lead to our winning rotation."

-The flow is from home base to enemy territory.

"Last year we started as visitors, but this time we'll be playing at home. The support of our fans, who cheered us on so loudly during the Climax Series, is very encouraging. That said, we haven't lost at all at Koshien either. I want to use the excitement of playing away to my advantage at Koshien."

-To the fans.

"Whether you laugh or cry, it will all be over in a week. We have come this far, so we need to have complete faith in the players. I want everyone to give it their all, even if they are exhausted, and fight to the end to win the national championship."

Related News

・ Shohei Ohtani cheers on his Hanamaki Higashi High School junior, Rintaro Sasaki, saying, "In the end, it's your own feelings that matter." He was a surprise first-round pick in the draft the day before, and Softbank acquired the right to negotiate with him.
・ DeNA and Softbank "forcefully" nominated Rintaro Sasaki with the first pick, causing a stir at the draft venue. Softbank CBO Jojima, who won the negotiation rights, said, "I'm glad I was able to fulfill this important role."
・ Surprise pick of Rintaro Sasaki, negotiation rights acquired by Softbank. CBO Jojima takes on big job: "He's an attractive player, worth the risk"
・ List of first-round draft picks... Three teams competed for Masahiro Tateishi with Hanshin Tigers, while two teams competed for Rintaro Sasaki with Softbank
・ [Softbank] Acquires negotiation rights for first-round draft pick Rintaro Sasaki. CBO Jojima hopes Sasaki will surpass Chairman Wang's career record of 868 Home Run