A 'four-game winning streak order' has been issued to the Softbank Hawks pitcher lineup. On the 18th, pitcher practice was held at Mizuho PayPay Dome in preparation for the Japan Series against DeNA, which begins on the 24th (Yokohama/Mizuho PayPay). Shinji Kurano, the 52-year-old chief pitcher coach and head coordinator who watched over the session, has already sent out the message.

"I don't have the mindset at all that we can afford to lose three games. It's no good to think of the series as lasting seven games." The opponent is DeNA, the same as two years ago. Last time, they started with two consecutive wins on the road, but ended the season with four straight losses starting from Game 3 after returning home. This year, they also advanced to the series with six consecutive wins starting from the first stage of the Climax Series, a first in history. Coach Kurano emphasized, "We learned the hard way two years ago just how much a single loss can change the momentum," and drew up a blueprint to stop the opponent's momentum right from Game 1.

Not to be outdone, their own team swept the final stage of the Climax Series with three consecutive wins, adding to their two-win advantage. Kamichatani, who along with catcher Yu Yamamoto will be facing his former team, heightened his sense of caution, stating, 'Yu and I both know how great they are. It's not just momentum this year. They are scary.' With 42 more wins than DeNA during the regular season, they intend to play like champions and aim for a sweep with consecutive fastballs.