The first game between Fukuoka Softbank and Orix Buffaloes will be played on April 17 at 6:00 p.m. at MIZUHO PayPay Dome.

Last season's record: Fukuoka Softbank vs. Orix Buffaloes 16-7-2

Preliminary Round
Fukuoka Softbank [Preliminary Starter] : Hsu Jo-Hsi pitcher 2 games, 1 win, 1 loss, ERA 0.69
Orix Buffaloes: Yasuto Takashima pitcher 2 games 0-0, ERA 3.86

Fukuoka Softbank The focus of the Tatsuru Yanagimachi Player. He has a .357 batting average and a good matchup against Orix Buffaloes last season. This season, he is struggling a bit with a .237 batting average, but will he be able to show his true potential against his best opponents? The starter Hsu Jo-Hsi pitcher was 1 runs in 7 innings in his last outing against Saitama Seibu Lions, but he was able to get a hit in each inning runner. How will the Taiwan-born slugger pitch against the Orix Buffaloes batting lineup, which he is facing for the first time?

Orix Buffaloes The starter, Takashima Taido pitcher, pitched 5.1 innings in his last start against Chiba Lotte Marines, giving up 5 hit 2 walks Hit by Pitch and 1 runs. Can he get closer his first win of the season against a strong hitter lineup Fukuoka Softbank of hitters? I hope the players will be able to hit. Ryoto Kita Kuruta, who was suddenly promoted to the first team on the 15th, has a .351 batting average on the farm and has recorded two timely hits in two games since his promotion.

Text by Haruichi Nakagawa