Lotte Marines manager Saburo (50) spoke to reporters at ZOZO Marine Stadium on the 18th, where the team held its general practice. Regarding pitcher Andre Jackson (30), who will be starting mound in the first game back against Rakuten on the 19th (at ZOZO Rakuten Eagles Stadium), Saburo said, "If he can get ahead in strike with strikes, they won't be able to hit him. That's all I'm praying for," expressing his hope for stable control.

Rakuten Eagles, on the other hand, will be managed by Masato Yoshii (61), who previously managed Lotte until last season, for the first time since taking the helm. Jackson, who played for DeNA until last season, has a record of 4 wins and 5 losses ERA 3.41 in 11 games for Lotte this season. He started against Rakuten Eagles on April 28th, hit 7 innings, allowing only 1 hit, strike out 12, and giving up no runs, earning his second win of the season. Ahead of the game, which will give him his third consecutive win and the team a one-game lead, he vowed to win at all costs, saying, "We've been winning well as a team in the interleague games, so I want to continue that. And as this is the first game since the league season resumed, it's going to be very important. I want to win at least one game and pass the baton to the next team. I want to make it a good game."