2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 3: Softbank Hawks vs Nippon-Ham (16th, Mizuho PayPay)

Softbank Hawks outfielder Yuki Yanagita was named in the starting line-up as the number five hitter and left fielder. This marks his 56th game appearance, surpassing Nobuhiro Matsuda (Softbank Hawks) for the most in the Pacific League. The record for most appearances in both leagues is 60 games by Hayato Sakamoto (The Giants).

The oldest member of the team, he finished this season with a .302 batting average, 19 Home Runs, and 70 RBIs. After complaining of neck pain at the end of the season, he remained on the bench and missed the first game on the 14th. He returned to the starting line-up from the second game and went 0 hits in 4 At Bats. His total of 10 Home Runs in the Climax Series is tied with Seiichi Uchikawa (Softbank Hawks) for the most in both leagues. There are high expectations for him to break the record.

With consecutive wins against Nippon-Ham, the team now leads 4-0 including the two-game advantage and is on the verge of clinching. Starting pitcher Yugo Maeda aims for a strong performance to secure the breakthrough all at once. The left-hander made a leap this season with a 12-1 record and a 2.10 ERA. If a pitcher within their first three years out of high school earns a win in the CS Final Stage, it will be the first since Miyagi of the Orix Buffaloes in 2022.

Softbank Hawks 's starting line-up is as follows:

1 (1) Masaki

2 (Central) Shuto

3 (finger) Kondo

4 (3) Kurihara

5 (left) Yanagida

6 (2) Makihara Dai

7 (Catcher) Yu Yamamoto

8 (Right) Yanagimachi

9 (play) Shoko

Starting Pitcher = Yu Maeda