Both sides have been on a winning streak and will head into the big match in peak condition.

In the "SMBC Japan Series 2026" starting on October 24th, Fukuoka Softbank and Yokohama DeNA will clash for the title of Japan's best. As both teams showed an overwhelming performance by winning every game in the post-season, a fierce battle is expected in this ultimate showdown.

This time, we will introduce the strengths and challenges of both teams based on the overall team pitcher results and batting results during the regular season. In addition, we would like to look back at the changes in the team's condition throughout the season, based on monthly wins and losses, as well as results in interleague play and the post-season.

Against Fukuoka Softbank, which boasts a rock-solid pitcher staff, Yokohama DeNA is also on equal footing when it comes to strike out.

The team pitcher statistics recorded by Fukuoka Softbank and Yokohama DeNA in 2026 are as follows.

The team ERA and the low number of hit allowed both ranked 2nd in the league, while the strike out was the highest in the league, recording excellent figures across the board. In various metrics, the strike out rate was a league-leading 8.23, the BB rate was 2.69 (2nd in the league), and the K/BB was a league-best 3.06, maintaining a high level in areas emphasized by sabermetrics. The WHIP, Avg, and BABIP allowed also ranked as the 2nd best in the league.

Among these, while BABIP allowed is considered to have few elements that a pitcher can control themselves, it is thought to be a useful metric for measuring the overall defense strength of the team. Therefore, the excellence of the BABIP allowed and Avg indicates that, in addition to the excellence of the pitcher staff, the fielder staff possess high defense capabilities.

The ERA remains at a steady 3.27, ranking 3rd in the league, but there is a slight gap between them and the league-leading Hanshin Tigers as well as the 2nd-place The Giants. Although the number of hits allowed was somewhat high, ranking 4th in the league, the 1,172 strike outs tied for 2nd in the league, surpassing Fukuoka Softbank's figure (1,171) by one. In terms of strike outs, it can be said that they have recorded figures comparable to the Pacific League champions.

Regarding statistical indicators, the strike out rate is an excellent 8.24, ranking 2nd in the league, demonstrating a high ability to escape jams on their own. On the other hand, with a league-worst BB rate of 3.13 and a K/BB of 2.63, ranking 5th in the league, they face challenges in control; therefore, the number of Walks could potentially be one of the factors influencing the outcome in the Japan Series.

Both teams boast powerful lineups that are among the best in the league.

The team batting statistics recorded by Fukuoka Softbank and Yokohama DeNA in 2026 are as follows.

He recorded impressive numbers, leading the league in batting average, hits, and runs scored, while ranking second in the league in Home Runs. In terms of advanced metrics, he ranked first in the league in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, OPS, ISOD, BB/K, and BABIP, and second in ISO and AB/HR, demonstrating truly outstanding performance. It is evident that he possesses a powerful, flawless batting profile that is top-class in the league across plate discipline, power, and overall productivity.

The team's batting average and runs scored are the highest in the league, and they are tied for first in Home Run, demonstrating that they possess one of the most powerful lineups in the Central League. While their plate discipline metrics are somewhat lower, with both IsoD and BB/K ranking fourth in the league, their strengths lie in their power and productivity metrics, ranking first in ISO and second in on-base percentage, OPS, and AB/HR.

Fukuoka Softbank showed a rock-solid performance, while Yokohama DeNA made a great leap forward after the summer.

The monthly records for Fukuoka Softbank and Yokohama DeNA in 2026 are as follows.

Fukuoka Softbank suffered their only losing month in April with 10 wins and 12 losses, but from June onwards, they consistently kept their losses in the single digits, growing stronger as the season progressed. Until June, they were engaged in a fierce battle for the top spot with the Seibu Lions, but from July onwards, they steadily increased their surplus and established a dominant lead, achieving the feat of three consecutive league titles with a rock-solid performance throughout the season.

In contrast, Yokohama DeNA recorded a .500 winning percentage at the end of April, but struggled in the first half of the season, suffering four more losses than wins in May and eleven in June. However, they gradually improved their form after the summer, creating a surplus of three in July and five in August, and delivered a brilliant performance from September onwards with 17 wins and 8 losses. The dramatic improvement in the team's condition toward the end of the season also led to their rapid progress in the postseason.

The results of the interleague games showed a stark contrast between the two teams.

The various records achieved by Fukuoka Softbank and Yokohama DeNA in the 2026 interleague games are as follows.

Fukuoka Softbank achieved a brilliant record of 14 wins and 4 losses in the interleague games, demonstrating their usual strength in interleague play. On the other hand, Yokohama DeNA was forced into a major struggle with 5 wins and 13 losses, and Fukuoka Softbank also won the head-to-head series with 2 wins and 1 loss.

Regarding team performance, Fukuoka Softbank recorded excellent results across the board with an ERA of 2.74 (3rd overall), a strike out rate of 9.27 (1st), a K/BB of 3.95 (1st), and a BB rate of 2.35 (2nd). In contrast, Yokohama DeNA's strike out rate ranked 8th overall, while their BB rate and K/BB were both the worst, showing that the condition of their pitcher staff had hit rock bottom.

On the offensive side, Fukuoka Softbank demonstrated overwhelming destructive power with their strong lineup, ranking first overall in many categories including batting average, hit, Home Run, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, ISO, and AB/HR. Yokohama DeNA also recorded solid numbers, ranking 5th overall in batting average and on-base percentage, 3rd overall in slugging percentage, and 4th overall in OPS, ISO, and AB/HR, showing that their lineup fought hard even while the team as a whole struggled.

Both teams had their pitching and hitting in perfect sync, showing overwhelming dominance throughout the postseason.

The results recorded by Fukuoka Softbank and Yokohama DeNA in the 2026 Climax Series are as follows.

Fukuoka Softbank allowed 8 runs over 3 games, and with pitcher Moinelo being pulled before finishing the 3rd inning, the fact that the starting rotation struggled compared to the regular season is a concern. Nevertheless, the relief squad showed rock-solid pitching with only 1 run allowed, and the lineup fully demonstrated its high scoring ability with 6 runs in three consecutive games. In the Japan Series as well, the persistence of the bullpen and the powerful lineup will likely be the factors that pull the momentum in their favor.

Yokohama DeNA's pitching staff demonstrated outstanding stability, allowing only 2 runs in the first 5 games and 7 runs across all 6 games of the CS. Coincidentally, both teams averaged exactly 8 strike outs per game, so there is a high possibility of a battle to see who can get more struck out. The lineup also fully displayed its inherent scoring ability and power with 21 runs and 9 Home Runs over 6 games, and it appears they will head into the big stage with both pitching and hitting in excellent condition.

Will Fukuoka Softbank get their revenge, or will Yokohama DeNA pull off another underdog victory?

In the Japan Series held between the same teams in 2024, Yokohama DeNA defeated Fukuoka Softbank 4-2 to achieve an underdog victory. For Fukuoka Softbank, this is also a battle for revenge from two years ago, but Yokohama DeNA, having significantly improved their form at the end of the season and entering the big stage with even more momentum than before, can be considered almost a different team compared to the period of the interleague games when they were struggling.

Will The Hawks, who have demonstrated overwhelming team strength throughout the season, get their revenge, or will The BayStars defeat the Pacific League champions once again? With both sides entering the big stage in near-peak condition, there is every possibility that this clash between two giants will become a fierce battle attracting the attention of baseball fans across Japan.

Text by Ryota Mochizuki