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

Nippon-Ham announced the starting line-up for the Softbank Hawks game on the 16th.

With a 0-4 record including the advantage, and on the brink of elimination, they made a bold change to starting line-up for this crucial game. catcher Yuya Gunji was placed in left field, batting first. Reyes, who usually batted sixth, was moved to third.

The starting mound belongs to pitcher Takayuki Kato. Expectations are high for the pitch of the left-hander, who has recorded 12 wins this season.

They are more than 10 games behind the first-place Softbank Hawks in the season, and this final stage is a best-of-seven series that started with the Softbank Hawks having a two-win advantage. Currently on a two-game losing streak, the situation from Nippon-Ham's perspective is zero wins and four losses. They aim to grab a win in the third game to keep their hopes of a comeback breakthrough alive.

▼Nippon-Ham

1 (left) Gunji

2 (Shortstop) Mizuno

3 (Finger) Reyes

4 (Center) Nomura

5 (1) Yuki Kiyomiya

6 (Right) Manami

7 (2nd) Yamagata

8 (Catcher) Tamiya

9 (3) Narama

Starting Pitcher = Takayuki Kato