SMBC Japan Series 2026 Game 3: Softbank Hawks vs DeNA (27th, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks pitcher Haru Matsumoto gave up the opening run in the fifth inning.

In the first inning, although he gave up a doble to Maki with one out, he shut out the following batters. In the third inning, he allowed a right-field hit to the lead-off batter Furuichi, but suppressed the next batter Naruse with a shortstop grounder double play. In the fifth inning, with two outs and a runner on second, he gave up a go-ahead RBI hit to center field to Furuichi.

In this fourth season, he recorded 12 wins (and 3 losses), achieving a breakout year. Although he was scheduled to start in the fourth game of the Climax Series Final Stage, he did not have the opportunity to pitch as the team advanced with three consecutive victories.

The 2024 Japan Series features the same matchup as this time. They got off to a strong start with two consecutive wins at Yokohama Stadium, but suffered four straight losses starting from Game 3 after moving to their home stadium. This year, they again won two consecutive games away and entered Game 3 in the exact same situation. Two years ago, they gave up the opening run in the first inning, and although they caught up immediately, they lost 1-4. They missed out on becoming the champions of Japan after losing four straight games following two initial wins.