◆ Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes Rakuten Eagles (20th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes has made significant changes to its batting lineup in an attempt to prevent a sixth consecutive loss. Key players Moritomo and Nakagawa have been left out of the starting lineup, with Ota batting fourth. Yamanaka and Watanabe will bat first and second, and Kida will bat fifth for the second time this season. A loss would guarantee a losing record against Nippon-Ham for the season. They will be hoping to deliver a victory to the fans at Kyocera Dome Osaka on the final day of the three-day weekend. starting line-up is as follows:

1 (1) Yamanaka

2 (middle) Watabe

3 (D) Nishikawa

4 (2) Ota

5 (Left) Kurita

6 (3) Sect

7 (Play) Beni Hayashi

8 (Right) Sugisawa

9 (captured) Fukunaga

Starting pitcher: Kuri