2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League First Stage Game 3: Seibu Lions vs. Nippon-Ham (12th, Belluna Dome)

The Seibu Lions will face Nippon-Ham in the third game of the first stage of the Climax Series (CS) at Belluna Dome, aiming to advance to the final stage for the first time since winning the league title in 2019.

The lineup was changed. Sosuke Genda infielder and Shuta Tonosaki infielder, who had also played in 2022 when Seibu Lions played in the Climax Series, joined the starting line-up. In the same game on the 11th, Shinya Hasegawa outfielder received a Hit by Pitch near his left wrist and was substituted midway, but it was not serious, and he started again as the fifth batter and center fielder.

The starting pitcher is Natsuki Takeuchi. This season, his clutch performance has been outstanding, such as when he secured a victory by pitching six innings with 10 strike out and zero runs against the Hanshin Tigers at Koshien on June 16, the day the team clinched its first-ever interleague championship. On the previous day, the 11th, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, 'I believe we have no choice but to win, and of course I intend to go all out from the first inning.'

Seibu Lions' starting line-up is as follows:

1 (Right) Canario

2 (2) Takizawa

3 (capture) Kojima

4. Nevin

5 (CF) Hasegawa

6 (LF) Hirasawa

7 (Second Baseman) Tonosaki

8 (Shortstop) Genda

9 (First Base) Watanabe

Starting pitcher: Natsuki Takeuchi