Orix Buffaloes manager Mamoru Kishida (44) expressed his hopes for a "competition" for the winning pattern on the 4th. While he has decided to use Machado, who recorded 28 saves, the third highest in the league in 2025, in the 9th inning, the rest are still undecided. "It's all competition (for the 7th and 8th innings)," he said. "There are only a limited number of spots for pitcher. The competition has already begun."

Last year, when they finished in third place, the relief pitchers' overall ERA was 3.58, fifth in the league. Nevertheless, Iwasaki, who joined the team in a cash trade from Chunichi in May, recorded 16 hold in 37 games, and the emergence of young players towards the end of the season was also noteworthy. "Mukuki did well as reliever, and we also have Saiki and (Yamazaki) Soichiro. Quite a few power pitcher have emerged," said the manager. "The hardest thing is to perform well consecutively. It's not that easy, but of course, we want them to do it," he said, anticipating a high level of competition.

He especially gave Yamazaki a loving scolding, saying, "He has a tendency to travel alone (laughs). It's his 10th year, so I told him that he should do it properly." He also said, "He's popular and handsome, so in that sense he is a special person in the eyes of the world. It was good to see the intention behind the balls he threw towards the end of the game. I'm sure he'll do well from the start of the new year," giving him a stern command to work at full speed. (Nambu Shunta)