◆ Shuto's presence is attracting attention, with people saying, "It makes it easier for the following hitter to do their jobs."

On the 28th, Softbank win the third game of the SMBC Japan Series 2025 against Hanshin Tigers, 2-1. Trailing by one point in the fourth inning, Hotaka Yamakawa hit a home run for the second game in a row to tie the game, and in the sixth Tatsuru Yanagimachi Yanagimachi hit a timely triple, allowing second base runner Yuki Yanagita to score and take the lead.

With consecutive wins, Softbank now has a record of 2 wins and 1 loss against the team. On the 28th, Fuji TV ONE's "Professional baseball News 2025" featured key players for Game 4.

Commentator Kenichi Tanizawa analyzed, "Yanagi has a batting average of .500 (12-6) so far, and although he has no RBI, he is batting first as the leadoff hitter. He hasn't been able to play much this year due to injury, so he is one of the players who is betting on the final stage and the Japan Series. In that sense, what Hanshin Tigers should be wary of is not putting Yanagi in the leadoff spot in the first place."

Another commentator, Tsutomu Iwamoto, commented on Shuto's good form, saying, "Ukyo Shuto often bats second. He had five hit in the second game, so I think he's a player who feels really good when he's at the stadium. Whenever a player like that gets on base, it's annoying, and it makes it easier for the following hitter to do their job. Today, Yanagimachi brought Yanagita home, so a "double Yanagi" was born, and Shuto's presence is absolutely essential to make the most of the "double Yanagi"."

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