The first game between Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Orix Orix Buffaloes will be held at ES CON FIELD on April 3rd at 6 PM.

[Last season's head-to-head record] Hokkaido Nippon-Ham vs. Orix Buffaloes: 12 wins, 12 losses, 1 draw

[Announced Starting Pitcher]
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: pitcher Hiromi Ito 1 game, 0 wins, 0 losses, ERA 7.94
Orix Buffaloes: pitcher Naruki Teranishi 1 game, 0 wins, 0 losses, ERA 3.00

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters' Kotaro Kiyomiya has hit a total of four Home Run in four games in March, and is currently on a six-game hit since the start of the season. Last season, he had a good record against Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes, batting .308 with Home Run. Will he be able to produce another great hit in their first matchup this season?

On the opposing side, Orix Buffaloes 's Keita Nakagawa had his second three-hit of the season the previous day. In his third at-bat, he hit his second home run of the season, a three-run shot, and currently leads the league with nine RBI. We can expect a clutch hit from him.