Rakuten Eagles Eagles pitcher Kosei Shoji (25) spoke on the 26th about his determination to take on this important role for the first time in his fourth year with the team. The right-hander, who made his final adjustments with catch practice and other drills at the away stadium ahead of the opening game against Orix Buffaloes on the 27th (at Kyocera Dome), vowed to deliver a brilliant performance that would bring a victory to the team, saying, "My top priority is for the team to win, and I want to give it my all."

His opponent will be pitcher Hiroya Miyagi who is one year younger and has just returned from the WBC, but he said in a quiet tone, "He is one of the top pitcher in the baseball world. I am excited to be able to pitch against such pitcher on the opening day stage. I hope we can both give good performances and make it a game that the fans can enjoy."