Lotte's Yuto Kimura will start in the game against Nippon-Ham on the 31st.

Kimura commented through the team, "I want to ride the team's good momentum and first focus on my own pitching. I will pitch without losing heart so that the team can win. I definitely want to win."

Kimura pitched 18 innings in 4 exhibition games, with a record of 0 wins and 2 losses and ERA of 3.50.