The "2026 PERSOL Climax Series Pacific League" (hereafter, PERSOL CS Pacific League) Final Stage kicks off today at 6:00 PM at MIZUHO PayPay Dome. The reigning champions, Fukuoka Softbank, who achieved their third consecutive Pacific League title, will face off against third-place Hokkaido Nippon-Ham, who advanced through the "PERSOL CS Pacific League" first baseman stage, for the third consecutive year.

The gap between the two teams in the standings was "13" games. Under the new rules introduced this season, Fukuoka Softbank is granted a two-win advantage, and the series will be held as a best-of-seven format, with the first team to reach five wins advancing.

The regular season head-to-head record was 18 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws, with Fukuoka Softbank holding a significant lead. Which players will be the key to overcoming this formidable opponent? This time, focusing on Hokkaido Nippon-Ham, we will introduce the performance of each player at MIZUHO PayPay Dome and their head-to-head records against Softbank Hawks this season.

Takayuki Kato and Sachiya Yamasaki: The veteran left-handers hold the key.

As the head-to-head record of 5 wins, 18 losses, and 2 draws indicates, 6 out of the 8 pitchers who made 10 or more starts during the season had an ERA in the 5.00 range against this opponent, showing the struggle even when looking at the starter's numbers. Amidst this, Takayuki Kato pitcher and Sachiya Yamasaki pitcher were the ones who managed to maintain certain figures.

Kato pitcher pitched well on September 10 at MIZUHO PayPay Dome, allowing 3 runs in 7 innings. Sachiya Yamasaki pitcher faltered in the final matchup on September 4, allowing 4 runs in 4.2 innings, but in his two previous starts, he had pitched well with 1 run in 7 innings and 1 run in 6 innings. Neither pitcher appeared in the first baseman stage, and Sachiya Yamasaki pitcher will serve as the starter for the first game. The veteran left-handed starter is likely to be a crucial piece.

Additionally, Koki Kitayama pitcher, who won the double crown for highest winning percentage and most wins, also did not pitch in the first baseman stage. Although he has struggled at MIZUHO PayPay Dome and against the Hawks, expectations are high for a brilliant performance in this major showdown.

Mizuki Hori has gone 10 games without allowing a run, and 4 pitchers allowed no runs at the away stadium.

Among the relief corps, pitcher Taisei Yanagawa pitched well with an ERA of 1.50 against the Hawks, and pitcher Kenta Uehara with an ERA of 1.80. Pitcher Mizuki Hori appeared in 10 games and left a great record with 0 runs and a WHIP of 0.39. Although pitcher Yanagawa only appeared in one game, all three pitchers have allowed 0 runs at MIZUHO PayPay Dome.

On the other hand, pitcher Hiroya Shimamoto, who showed stable performance this season, had games where he was hit hard during the summer, resulting in an ERA of 6.75 against the Hawks, and pitcher Seigi Tanaka also struggled from the middle of the season onwards with an ERA of 16.20. Pitcher Yi-Lei Sun had an ERA of 4.82 against them, but after being converted to a relief role in July, he allowed only 1 run in 5.1 innings over 5 games.

Chusei Mannami has an OPS of over 1.000 at away games.

Among fielder, Reyes, who won the batting hitter with a season batting average of .313, also recorded a batting average of over .300 against the Hawks. In addition, Chusei Mannami also posted a batting average of .324 and an OPS of .888, which are better results than his season batting average of .257 and OPS of .772. At MIZUHO PayPay Dome, 3 of his 9 hit were Home Run, and he posted an overwhelming OPS of 1.015.

　Kotaro Kiyomiya had a batting average of .288 against the Hawks, and Yuki Nomura had .296, both recording 5 Home Run. The main position fielder have performed reasonably well.

Yua Tamiya has a batting average of over .300 at away games.

On the other hand, fielders with more than 50 but fewer than 100 games this season give the impression of struggling. Yua Tamiya is showing his presence with a .318 batting average away from home, and Castro is doing the same with a .250 average and 2 Home Runs. Will a player emerge who explodes in the postseason?

Defeat Fukuoka Softbank: Will they make it to the Japan Series for the first time since 2016?

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham aims for their first Japan Series appearance in 10 years, since their 2016 championship. Last season, they showed a fierce fight that went down to the final game in the "Persol CS Pa" Final Stage against the champions, the Hawks, but they struggled this season with a .217 winning percentage.

Looking at the head-to-head record, the situation looks unfavorable, but anything can happen in the postseason. The conditions are tough, requiring five wins to advance through the series, but will an unpredictable drama unique to short-term battles unfold?

Text by Ryohei Shoji