Orix Buffaloes pitcher Alen Kuri has been scheduled to start the game against Seibu Lions on the 21st at Kyocera Dome Osaka. The right-hander boasts an excellent record at his home stadium, Kyocera Dome Osaka, with nine consecutive wins so far. If he wins, he will tie Yamaoka's team record of 10 consecutive wins, but he remains grounded, saying, "I don't think there is pitcher who can keep winning forever. The most important thing is to prepare so that I can show what I can do on mound. I can't control whether I get a win or a loss."

In his previous appearance on the 14th, against Hanshin Tigers (Kyocera Dome Osaka), he pitched 5 innings with 2 runs over 4 days. The team's top inning eater was determined to "start well from the very first inning and ultimately throw as many inning and hitter as possible."