Softbank Hawks Chief pitcher Coach and Head Coordinator Shinji Kurano revealed his mindset for the Japan Series on the 18th. pitcher practice was held at Mizuho PayPay Dome on this day. It has been decided that the championship battle starting on the 24th will be against DeNA, just as it was two years ago.

Having broken through the Climax Series, which he described as having a "heavy atmosphere rather than a festival-like one," the team has advanced to the Japan Series for the third consecutive year. With just over a week until the final battle of the season, pitcher coach Kurano once again showed his fighting spirit, saying, "We cannot afford to lose."

This will be the first Japan Series against DeNA in two years. In 2024, the team won the first two games but then lost four in a row to end the season. They intend to use those bitter memories to their advantage and overwhelm their opponents by going full throttle from the very first game. 'If you think about it in terms of a seven-game series, it probably won't work. I don't have the mindset at all that we can afford to lose three games. I learned firsthand two years ago just how much a single loss can change the momentum. It's not that we were careless or showed any openings, but the momentum really can shift in an instant,' he said, maintaining a sense of urgency.

Furthermore, what heightened their sense of vigilance was the atmosphere at Yokohama Stadium. 'It was incredible. No matter the situation, there is absolutely no room for complacency. We have experienced that, so everyone shares the same feeling.' They will unite as one and climb the final mountain.