Rakuten Eagles Eagles pitcher Ryota Takinaka spoke on the 27th about his aspirations for the second game of the season against Orix Buffaloes on the 28th (at Kyocera Dome). He made the opening day rotation for the first time in three years during the preseason. "It's a great honor. I want to repay that with results," he said with determination. Regarding the opposing lineup, he cautioned, "They have power hitters. I want to be careful not to give up two, three, or four runs in one inning."

Last season, they had a record of 4 wins and 9 losses, a deficit of 5. This season, however, they are expected to turn things around and become a winning team.