On the 10th, pitcher Chihiro Sumida (27) emerged as a leading candidate to be the Seibu Lions' opening day pitcher for next season. With the announcement of the 2027 Pacific League schedule on this day, it was decided that the Seibu Lions will start their season with a game against the Lotte Marines at ZOZO Marine Stadium.

Manager Nishiguchi, who observed the autumn training camp in Izu, remained elusive regarding the major assignment, stating, 'It might be Sumida or Takeuchi. It could be one of them, or it might be someone else.' However, the left-hander, who is entering his sixth season next year and has been steadily building a solid track record, is considered to be in the lead for the role.

This season, he started 24 games and fought hard as the core of the starter rotation, recording 10 wins and 8 losses for his second consecutive year in double digits, with an ERA of 2.27. The announcement of the opening day pitcher is expected to take place during spring training, as in previous years.