On July 31, starting at 18:00, the 15th round match between Saitama Seibu Lions and Orix Buffaloes will be held on Belluna Dome. This match will be the first day of the "AOFES 2026," which starts this season. Saitama Seibu Lions players will wear the "AOFES jersey 2026."

[Head-to-head Record] Saitama Seibu Lions (2nd place) vs. Orix Buffaloes (4th place) 5 wins, 8 losses, 1 draw

[Announced Starting Lineup]
Saitama Seibu Lions: Chihiro Sumida pitcher 15 games, 7 wins, 6 losses, ERA 2.52
Orix Buffaloes: Naruki Teranishi pitcher 24 games, 3 wins, 2 losses, ERA 4.74

Saitama Seibu Lions heads into the second half of the season 5.5 games behind the leader. In the batting lineup, Manaya Nishikawa, who had struggled this season, improved his form in July with a .283 batting average. Also, on the 29th, Rakuto Wakabayashi returned after two years in a trade for The Giants. We will also be watching the outfield 's lineup going forward. Starting pitcher Chihiro Sumida pitcher was hit hard in the previous inning, going 7-runs (earned runs 4), but can they recover and start the series with a win?

Meanwhile, Orix Buffaloes started Naruki Teranishi pitcher. In the Chiba Lotte Marines game in his last appearance, his first start since April, he gave up two Home Run and pitched 4 innings with 3 hit, 2 Walk 2 runs. He started against Saitama Seibu Lions on April 16, closer 1 runs in the 6th inning. He is cautious of a single home run and wants to create a game this time.

Text by Minagi Niwa