The second game of the "Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026" between Fukuoka Softbank and Hanshin Tigers will be held at MIZUHO PayPay Dome from 6 PM on June 10th.

[Head-to-head record] Fukuoka Softbank (Pacific League 2nd place) vs. Hanshin Tigers (Central League 1st place): 1 win, 0 losses

[Announced Starting Pitcher]
Fukuoka Softbank: pitcher Haru Matsumoto, 9 games, 3 wins, 2 losses, ERA 3.75
Hanshin Tigers: Kotaro Otake pitcher 8 games, 2 wins, 4 losses, 2.29 ERA

Fukuoka Softbank 's starting pitcher, Haru Matsumoto, gave up a home run in the middle innings in his last start (June 3rd against Chunichi), finishing with 7 hit 4 runs allowed in 5 innings. However, in a game against Hanshin Tigers last season, he pitched well, allowing only 2 hits, hit out 7 strike out 1 runs (0 earned runs) in 5 innings. He will be looking to pitch well in this game as well and lead his team to their sixth consecutive series win.

In the batting lineup, keep an eye on Taisei Makihara, who hit his first Home Run of the season on the 9th. His current batting average is .280, and his monthly batting average for June was a strong .333. Can he get a handle on opposing starting pitcher Kotaro Otake, who is a former teammate of his?

Written by Aoi Nemoto