On July 22 at 18:00, the 13th round match between Chiba Lotte Marines and Tohoku Rakuten Eagles will be held at Zozo Marine Stadium.

[Head-to-head Record] Chiba Lotte Marines (5th) vs. Tohoku Rakuten Eagles (6th) 9 wins, 3 losses

[Announced Starting Lineup]
Chiba Lotte Marines: Kazuya Ojima pitcher 11 games, 2 wins, 6 losses, ERA 3.51
Tohoku Rakuten Eagles: Takahisa Hayakawa pitcher 12 games, 4 wins, 3 losses, ERA 2.22

Chiba Lotte Marines 's announced starting pitcher is Kazuya Ojima pitcher. "I think this will be my last start of the first half, so I will seriously think about what I can do, face each hitter individually, and do my best to contribute to the team's win by throwing as long inning as possible."

The lineup saw Soto record double-digit home run in the game against Fukuoka Softbank on the 20th, marking his ninth consecutive year in Japan. His 10th home run came in the bottom of the eighth, coming off Osuna pitcher with the team trailing by one run, hitting a game-tying solo homer in Fukuoka Softbank. It was a homer that shot to the opposite direction—a signature hit by Soto. In the game against Tohoku Rakuten Eagles, he closer.226 (31 At Bat 7 hit) and 0 Home Run, but in these two games, he will be eager to show his pride.

Tohoku Rakuten Eagles Takahisa Hayakawa pitcher is starting his third Chiba Lotte Marines game this season. So far, he has achieved HQS in both of his previous games, and his head-to-head record is innings pitched 14, with hit 8, BB 2, strike out 14, runs 4, and a ERA of 2.57. This will be his first appearance of the season in Zozo Marine Stadium, and he wants to make the most of his strong chemistry.

Text by Ayako Kikuchi