The '2026 Persol Climax Series Pa' (hereafter, Persol CS Pa) will open on October 10th. Which team will break through the first baseman stage and earn the right to challenge the champions, Fukuoka Softbank? Ryota Igarashi, Sho Nakata, and T-Okada, who appeared on 'Monday is Pa-Tele Day' on the 5th, predicted the key players in pitching and batting for the series.

Saitama Seibu Lions

◇ Chihiro Sumida pitcher
"It's not that we're particularly compatible with Hokkaido Nippon-Ham or Fukuoka Softbank, but if pitcher Sumida can closer, the team will gain momentum. We've been producing good results throughout the season, so when things work well, he seems likely to show some really good pitch," said T-Okada.

▼ Team Results ▼
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: 5 appearances, 1 win, 2 losses ERA 2.83 Avg.248 WHIP 1.14
Fukuoka Softbank: 4 appearances, 2 wins, 1 loss ERA 3.21 Avg.235 WHIP 1.07

◇ Natsuo Takizawa Players
"If Takizawa can get pitcher to throw, get on base, and stir things up, I think the lineup will change. Not only can he hit in opposite directions, but he can also pull the ball according to the situation and perform case batting. He can bat first and second, and from ninth to the top lineup, so it's important to see which batting order he'll be used." (T-Okada)

"Even when he gets on base, he can instill fear in pitcher. pitcher wary of runner disrupts his tempo and can't focus 100% on the batter. I think it's troublesome when players like him are in the top lineup," says Nakata.

"Mistakes and disruptions in defense can change the momentum, but Takizawa can turn things around with fine play. He's a key player for both offense and defense," said Igarashi.

▼ Team Results ▼
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: 22 games, .319 batting average, 1 Home Run 7 RBI, .792 OPS
Fukuoka Softbank: 23 games, .247 batting average, 0 Home Run 7 RBI OPS, .550

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters

◇ Takayuki Kato pitcher
"He is the left-handed ace who builds a solid game even when he is not in top form. I don't have an image of him collapsing much, and he has a sense of stability." (Mr. Nakada)

▼Stats by Team▼
Saitama Seibu Lions: 1 appearance 0 wins 0 losses ERA 7.20 Avg .211 WHIP 0.80
Fukuoka Softbank: 2 appearances 1 win 1 loss ERA 3.75 Avg .319 WHIP 1.42

◇ Chusei Mannami player
"To be blunt, it will be difficult to pull off an upset unless a core player like Mannami performs well. Reyes is the batter who will be most guarded as long as he is playing, even if he is injured. That is exactly why I think the key lies in what kind of role the batters hitting before and after Reyes, the batters expected to hit for extra bases, will play." (Mr. Nakada)

▼Stats by Team▼
Saitama Seibu Lions: 20 games batting average .233 3 Home Runs 7 RBI OPS .780
Fukuoka Softbank: 18 games batting average .324 3 Home Runs 7 RBI OPS .888

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks

◇ Yugo Maeda pitcher
"This year, he has truly grown, starting with 12 consecutive wins from the opening. However, he hasn't experienced short-term decisive battles yet, so we'll see how it goes. If he can pitch here just like he did in the regular season, it will be a year where we say 'this was the year Yugo Maeda made a leap.' He is a pitcher with great expectations." (Mr. Igarashi)

▼Performance by Team▼
Saitama Seibu Lions: 4 appearances 3 wins 0 losses ERA 0.77 Avg .202 WHIP 1.03
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: 3 appearances 1 win 0 losses ERA 4.20 Avg .262 WHIP 1.40

◇ Tomoya Masaki player
"This year he established himself as the leadoff hitter. Since the cleanup trio (Kensuke Kondo, Ryoya Kurihara, Yuki Yanagita) has outstanding stability, the key will be whether Masaki functions or not. Even if someone is in good form during the regular season, it doesn't necessarily mean they will succeed in short-term decisive battles, but if he leaves results here, I think people will say 'we were able to win the championship because Masaki emerged this year.'" (Mr. Igarashi)

▼Performance by Team▼
Saitama Seibu Lions: 12 games batting average .292 3 Home Runs 6 RBI OPS .864
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: 19 games batting average .329 5 Home Runs 14 RBI OPS 1.001

◇Summary of Saitama Seibu Lions' performance against Hokkaido Nippon-Ham & at home
◇Summary of Hokkaido Nippon-Ham's performance against Saitama Seibu Lions & at Belluna D