◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: Seibu vs. Orix Buffaloes (22nd, Belluna Dome)

Orix Buffaloes Taisuke Yamaoka pitcher has joined the first team for the first time this season. In his milestone 10th year as a pro, he returned to starting pitching and appeared in 8 farm league games. He prepared for his turn, saying, "I have no choice but to do it." In 2019, he won the Best ERA title with a record of 13 wins and 4 losses. In recent years, he has also demonstrated his abilities as a reliever.

He is scheduled to start in the game Seibu Lions on the 24th (Belluna Dome). He is highly motivated, saying, "I'm going to treat it as a do-or-die game and give it my all." The starting rotation will be without ace Miyagi and Yamashita this season due to left and right elbow surgeries, respectively. The right-handed pitcher with a proven track record of 48 career wins will be their savior.