☆ Nippon-Ham vs. Lotte (18:30, ES CON FIELD) Nippon-Ham: Hosono, Lotte: Kimura

Last season's runner-up, Nippon-Ham, suffered three straight losses to start the season against last season's champions, Softbank Hawks. On the 30th, they will face Lotte in an attempt to break their losing streak. If they lose and suffer a fourth straight loss to start the season, it will be the first time in four years, since 2022.

Nippon-Ham 's first four or more losses

Year Wins/Losses → Final standings

52 ●●●●●〇 →6

54 ●●●●●●〇→7

97 ●●●●●●〇→4

22 ●●●●●〇 →6

* Pacific League had 7 teams in 1952 and 8 teams in 1954.

In the past, they have suffered four or more consecutive losses at the start of the season on four occasions (all of which were five or more consecutive losses). In all four of those instances, they were languishing at the bottom of the standings, which is an ominous statistic.

On the other hand, just like this time, in 2009, they also suffered three consecutive losses to Rakuten Eagles at the start of the season. However, in the fourth game, Home Run by Tomohiro Nioka and other factors led to their first win, 9-1, ending their three-game losing streak. After that, they went on to win Pacific League championship. As they aim for their first league championship under the Shinjo regime, this will be a crucial game that they cannot afford to lose.

(Other cards)

☆ Chunichi vs. The Giants (18:15, Vantelin Dome) Chunichi: Kanemaru, The Giants: Whitley

☆ Yakult vs. Hiroshima (18:00, Jingu Stadium) Yakult: Ogawa, Hiroshima: Morishita

☆ Hanshin Tigers vs. DeNA (18:00, Kyocera Dome Osaka

Hanshin Tigers = Saiki, DeNA = Duplantier

☆ Rakuten Eagles vs. Softbank Hawks (16:00, Rakuten Eagles Mobile) Rakuten Eagles = Kenta Maeda, Softbank Hawks = Ozeki

☆ Seibu Lions vs. Orix Buffaloes (18:00, Belluna Dome) Seibu Lions: Sumida, Orix Buffaloes: Takashima

※ Match card (start time, stadium) and starting pitcher order