Kohei Arihara, the 24th most win-winner, is looking forward to the performance of first-round pick No. 1 Misho Nishikawa who will be the opening pitcher for the second consecutive year.

Pacific League Insight

2025.3.27(木) 19:47

Fukuoka Softbank Hawks pitcher Kohei Arihara [Photo: provided by the team]

On 28 March at 18:30, the first round of the Fukuoka Softbank vs. Chiba Lotte will be held on MIZUHO PayPay Dome.

Last season's head-to-head record: Fukuoka Softbank vs. Chiba Lotte 16 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw

【Predicted starters (last season's results)】
Fukuoka Softbank: Kohei Arihara pitcher 26 games, 14 wins, 7 losses, ERA 2.36
Chiba Lotte: Kazuya Ojima pitcher 25 games, 12 wins, 10 losses, ERA 3.58

Fukuoka Softbank Kohei Arihara pitcher will serve as the opening pitcher for the second year in a row. He threw 12 innings pitched in three games to open the season, hit 12, 8 strike out 2 runs and ERA 1.50. Expectations are only rising for last year's pitcher pitch of most wins.

On the other hand, Chiba Lotte Kazuya Ojima pitcher will be the third pitcher in three consecutive years. He lost 3 runs in 5.1 innings in the 2023 opener against Fukuoka Softbank, but can he avenge the humiliation of two years ago in his first game in 2025?

We are also looking forward to seeing the performance of Chiba Lotte 's No. 1 draft rookie Misho Nishikawa, who made an impact in the opening game. He appeared in 14 Opening Day games, batting .410 with a .429 on-base percentage. He should show the courage to swing from the first ball from the opening match.

Written by Yako Kikuchi