The 16th game between the Saitama Seibu Lions and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham will be held at Belluna Dome on July 22nd at 6 PM.

[Head-to-head record] Saitama Seibu Lions (2nd place) vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham (3rd place): 8 wins, 7 losses

[Announced Starting Pitcher]
Saitama Seibu Lions: Kaima Taira pitcher 14 games, 7 wins, 2 losses, 0.92 ERA
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: pitcher Hiromi Ito 17 games, 8 wins, 5 losses, 3.23 ERA

Saitama Seibu Lions 's starting pitcher, Kaima Taira has maintained ERA of 0.92 so far this season, and has a perfect 2-0 record against Hokkaido Nippon-Ham. They will be looking to win the first game of their five-game home series before the All-Star break. In the game on the 20th Shuta Tonosaki and Sosuke Genda Genda each had two hit, showing their batting prowess. They have been struggling with their hitting this season, but can this be an opportunity for them to regain their former form?

Meanwhile, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham 's starting pitcher Hiromi Ito. In his last start against Fukuoka Softbank, he gave up 5 runs in the middle of the 7th inning, but he has recorded a quality start in all 4 games against Saitama Seibu Lions this season. Will he deliver another brilliant performance and secure win in a month? Among fielder, Yuya Gunji has been in good form since being recalled to the first team in July, with a batting average of .379.

Written by Kai Nagi Niwa