Seibu Lions Lions pitcher Natsuki Takeuchi will start in the game against Rakuten Eagles on the 25th (at Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi).

In his previous start, the final game of the interleague series on the 16th against Hanshin Tigers (Koshien), he pitched brilliantly, strike out 10 batters and allowing only 3 hit and no runs over 6 innings, leading his team to their first-ever interleague championship. Eight days later, he will be pitching again. "I've been working on my conditioning in the same way since the interleague series ended," he said, indicating he is in perfect condition.

The team is currently on a two-game losing streak for the first time in about a month. In the Rakuten Eagles match on the 22nd (Tokyo D), he threw in nine pitcher but extra inning ran out in the 12th inning and lost walk-off. In the game on the 23rd (in Yamagata City), where the plan was to rest Kaino, Shinohara, and the winfielder, who had been pitching consecutively, starters Wineness and Hamaya combined for 8 runs and failed to establish control. Although Hamaya and Iwaki have pitched in 26 games as closer and recorded 18 saves so far, the second draft pick, Iwaki, who has allowed three home runs in the last three games, has been hit hard, and his ERA has ballooned until 4/15. After the game, it was decided that the farm team would be readjusted.

With summer just around the corner, signs of fatigue are beginning to show among pitcher. However, he said, "We're about halfway through the season, but I'm not tired and I've been able to adjust well, so I'll do my best to pitch closer and get outs for long inning," showing his determination to be the team's savior.