Rakuten Eagles Eagles pitcher Kosei Shoji (25) will start in the game against Nippon-Ham Fighters on the 19th (ES CON FIELD). On the 18th, he adjusted at the team's home base in Sendai. "I didn't feel too bad last time, so I didn't change anything in particular, and I've recovered quite a bit from fatigue. I adjusted just like I always have," he said with conviction.

In his first opening pitcher this season, he has started seven games, compiling a 4-3 record with a 2.93 ERA. A fifth win against Nippon-Ham Fighters would tie him for the league lead. strike out currently lead the league, giving him a strong chance of becoming the league's top strikeout leader.

He's striking out struck out at a pace that exceeds the number of inning pitched, mixing in splitter and cutter with his fastball which exceeds 150 km/h. "I don't really know the reason, but I think that if I'm in good condition, struck out increases. I'm able to strike out struck out when I aim for them, without being picky about who the batter is, so I feel very good about that. I think the most important thing is that I'm able to throw all my pitches with good balance and power," he nodded.

He has been a key player in the starting rotation since the season began. This game will be his last start before the interleague series. He expressed his determination, saying, "I want to win and go into the interleague series with a win."