The Nippon-Ham, which took first place with 4 wins and 1 loss in the opening two cards, will play a three-game series (ESCON) against the Orix, which is tied for first place, starting on the 4th. Fukuya Yamazaki pitcher (32), who will start the first game, made final adjustments at ESCON on March 3. He will pitch for the first time this season against Hiroya Miyagi pitcher (23), a colleague from his Orix days, whom he loves like a little brother. The lefty, who won 10 games last season, vowed to win the "brother vs. brother" matchup and get his first win win of the season.

Yamazaki was coolly fired up for the fight. His first appearance this season will be Orix, where he played until 2011. "We faced them last year, so my feelings won't change no matter where we're playing," he said, but he's aiming for his first win of the season against his former team, with whom he has a good record, winning both games last season.

The opposing starting pitcher is Miyagi, who is also a left-handed pitcher and whom he treats like a younger brother. There was no direct confrontation last season, and in this first pitching match, he said, "I'm not particularly conscious of it. I'm just concentrating on my pitching," but he can't lose to his junior who wears the same number "18" as him.

In January, they held a talk show called "New Year's Sachimiya Talk 2025" in Toyonaka, Osaka. The two get along well, with Miyagi, who is nine years younger than him, joking that "He's like a kind little brother. Oh, he's my older brother." He himself said, "I'd be happy to pitch against Miyagi," and was looking forward to the "brotherly showdown."

In camp, he was bought for his hitting sense, and he made a two-faced adjustment by taking hitting practice. In an open game, he started for the first time in his professional career at "No. 3, DH" and hit a hit. Manager Shinjo praised him, saying, "There is no one hitter who can get the bat out in the shortest distance like that. He was praised by Shinjo, who said, "There is no one who can hit the bat in the shortest distance like that, and his head speed is fast because he is not straining. He will concentrate on pitcher until the exchange games, but he said, "Batting was a good time for batting. Now I'm really just thinking about the team winning," he recalled of his precious time.

In the exhibition games, he pitched four times, winning three games with ERA 2.57. On March 26th, he pitched in a second-division game against Kamagaya, giving up one runs in six innings. "I've come to understand what's good and what's bad, including my physical condition and the quality of my pitches." He's fully prepared for the first game of the season, which will be played in eight days.

On this day, he made final adjustments, such as catch at ESCON. Regarding Orix batting lineup, he said, "I have an image of Nishikawa-kun being in good form. Kurebayashi-kun will also be a key point," pointing out the strong left and right hitter, and said, "I want the fans to have a good time." He aims to win against his "younger brother" Miyagi and solidify his lead.

(Haruki Kawakami)

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