Softbank Hawks Hawks manager Hiroki Kokubo (54) expressed caution on the 17th regarding Rakuten Eagles Eagles manager Yoshii, who took office that day. Yoshii was a rival manager, having also managed the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2023 to 2025. The manager, who is also from Wakayama Prefecture, said, "I was surprised. I'm looking forward to seeing him on ground again."

What caught my attention was his coaching skills. "I think rebuilding pitcher staffs is his specialty." He has served as pitcher coach for Nippon-Ham, Softbank Hawks, and Lotte, and has a track record of coaching players like Darvish (Padres) and Ohtani (Dodgers). Currently, Rakuten Eagles 's team ERA is the worst in the league at 3.66. With a 6-6 record against them this season, if they improve, they will become an even more formidable opponent.

The next series against Rakuten Eagles will be a three-game series starting on July 10th (at Mizuho PayPay Dome). Manager Kokubo said, "In terms of the schedule, we're not thinking about Rakuten Eagles right now," and is only focused on the three-game series Nippon-Ham starting on the 19th (at Escon Stadium) when the league season resumes. Their attitude of winning each game at all costs remains unchanged. They missed out on winning the interleague series, but they will not give up on winning the league title for the third consecutive year. (Tosei Moriguchi)