The 14th game between Hokkaido Nippon-Ham and Fukuoka Softbank will be held at ES CON FIELD on July 16th at 1:00 PM.

[Head-to-head record] Hokkaido Nippon-Ham (3rd place) vs. Fukuoka Softbank (1st place): 2 wins, 11 losses

[Announced Starting Pitcher]
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: pitcher Hiromi Ito 16 games, 8 wins (tied for 2nd place), 4 losses, ERA 3.07
Fukuoka Softbank: pitcher Taiga Kamichatani, 26 games, 4 wins, 0 losses, ERA 2.12

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham will start pitcher Hiromi Ito. In their previous encounter with Fukuoka Softbank (June 19th), he pitched 6 innings, allowing 2 runs, and pitcher win. Can he deliver a good performance to secure their first series win against the Hawks this season? Offensively, Chusei Mannami is in good form. He recorded 2 hit 1 RBI in the previous game, and since the start of July, he has been hitting well with 18 hit in 46 At Bat-bats over 12 games, for a batting average of .391.

On the opposing side, Fukuoka Softbank 's pitcher Taiga Kamichatani will be making his first start in three years, since 2023. In his previous start (on the 4th against Chiba Lotte Marines), he pitched as the second reliever, allowing 1 hit, 3 Walk, hit out 3 strike out runs 3.1 innings. Can he live up to expectations in his first start since joining the team and secure his 5th win of the season?