On the 25th, Softbank lose the first game of the SMBC Japan Series 2025 against Hanshin Tigers, 1-2. They took the lead in the first inning with a timely hit by Kensuke Kondo, but allowed the other team to take the lead with a timely doble by Teruaki Sato in the top of the sixth.

The same day's broadcast of CS Fuji TV ONE's "Professional baseball News" focused on the moment in the top of the sixth inning when starter Kohei Arihara gave up a game-winning doble to Teruaki Sato. Commentator Yasushi Tao, who appeared on the program, reflected, "It was three balls, and I thought he should be walked in this situation. But with runners on first and third, I thought Ohyama could have gotten a double play with two seam fastball, so I thought it might have been better to declare intentional walk from the bench. I think it was a tough game with three balls."

Fellow commentator Hiraishi Yosuke commented, "It's not that Manager Kokubo is bad, he's a great manager. However, when it comes to a short-term battle, each pitch carries a different weight than during the season, and I think (Sato) was probably waiting for change-up here. With two balls, his body started to open up on the third pitch. That's when he calmed down and went for change-up. count was unfavorable and there was an open base on first base, so I think it was cruel to leave it up to the battery."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2025"