Seibu Lions pitcher Yutaro Watanabe spoke on the 4th about his enthusiasm for the game against Softbank Hawks Hawks on the 5th (at Belluna Dome), where he will be aiming for his second win of the season. The right-hander, who made his final adjustments at home, grinned and said, "The Hawks lineup is strong, so I think they will come at me with an eye on my pitching patterns and things like that, but it's a bit of a tactical discussion, so I'll just go with this approach." He had a plan in mind to shut down the powerful Hawks lineup.

In the game against Nippon-Ham on April 28, he pitched well, allowing only one run in eight innings, but did not get a win or runs. "My condition is good. I'm looking forward to it," he said, showing continued confidence in his good form.

Since the day coincides with Children's Day, a large number of young fans are expected to attend the game. "baseball is our job, but I think enjoying ourselves while playing is the best way to perform well, so I want people to see how we prioritize having fun even under pressure." He will deliver a brilliant pitching performance on mound to inspire the children.