◆ Pacific League Orix-Rakuten (29th and Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Aiming to win the opening series, Orix Buffaloes manager Mamoru Kishida has started infielder Kotaro Kobayashi for the third consecutive game. On the 28th, he sent in a pinch hitter and said, "Beni (Kurebayashi) hasn't quite found his rhythm yet. I'll see what he thinks about being substituted." While fellow shortstop Noguchi had hit a timely doble after coming in as a substitute, it appears the manager is hoping for an explosion of power from the starting short stop.

fielder Masahiro Nishino the oldest infielder team, will also be making his first starting line-up as the number 7 batter and second baseman. They'll be hoping to take control of the game from the start.

starting line-up is as follows:

1. Three Sects

2 Right Hirooka

3. Left fielder Nishikawa

4. Ota

5 Nakagawa

6 D Moritomo

7. Nishino (2nd baseman)

8. Catcher: Wakatsuki

9 Yu Kurin

Starting pitcher: Tajima