Lotte Marines manager Saburo (49) attended the "Pacific League 2026 Opening Day Press Conference" held at their home stadium, ZOZO Marine Stadium, on the 26th, along with Seibu Lions Lions manager Fumiya Nishiguchi (53).
When asked which Seibu Lions player to watch out for ahead of the opening game on the 27th, manager Saburo immediately replied, "I'd say Takizawa." He added, "I really like him. His playing style. If we let him get on base, I think our defense might get a little flustered, so we want to try to keep him from getting on base as much as possible."
![[Photo] A popular child actor throws the opening pitch - a southpaw!](https://hochi.news/assets/v2/img/hochi_news_sns.png)
![[Lotte] Manager Saburo said about the team's last-place finish in the preseason: "I'm nothing but anxious, but there's no point in dwelling on it. We just have to accept it and do our best."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/22/20260322-OHT1I51375-L.jpg)
![[Lotte] Opening pitcher decided to be the second left-hander in the draft, Kaidai Mori Coach Saburo: "I told you after today's practice"](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/21/20260321-OHT1I51313-L.jpg)
![[Lotte] Manager Saburo reveals his candidate for opening day pitcher; the important role in the game against Seibu Lions on the 27th remains unannounced.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/20/20260320-OHT1I51381-L.jpg)
![[Lotte] Kyota Fujiwara reflects on his "Osaka Toin showdown" with Akira Neo: "I thought I was going to hit him with a fastball."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/20/20260320-OHT1I51350-L.jpg)
