Nippon-Ham pitcher Kota Tatsu (22) vowed on the 13th to secure his first win of the season at ZOZO Marine Stadium, a venue where he has a strong record of 27 runs inning since turning pro. The right-hander, who will start against the Chiba Lotte Marines on the 14th (at ZOZO Marine Stadium), made his final adjustments, including practicing pitch on the Escon mound, before flying to Chiba. "I have a good feeling about it. There's wind, and the environment can affect things, so I can't say for sure, but it's a stadium where I've been able closer well in the past, so I don't think I'll fall apart." He will be using mound at this lucky opposing stadium, where he earned his first professional win on October 3rd, 2024, and his first professional complete game shutout game on September 27th of last season, as his ally.

In his last start on the 4th against Orix Buffaloes (at Escon Stadium), he gave up 3 runs in the middle of the 6th inning. He will be mound after a 9-day rest, but he says, "I was able to recover while training, so I'm in good condition." He used the time off to increase the amount of his favorite training while also getting rest, and he is ready.

The team has reorganized its rotation. On the 15th, Takashi Kato, who earned his second win on the 9th against Rakuten (Rakuten Eagles Mobile) with 74 pitches, will start after five days Rakuten Eagles. On the 16th, Hosono, who achieved no hitter against Lotte on March 31st (Escon), is expected to start after eight days of rest. The Shinjo-led Fighters, who suffered a painful five-game losing streak to Softbank Hawks to start the season, will make a fresh start from Makuhari. (Haruki Kawakami)