Starting at 6:00 PM on August 1, the 16th match of the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles vs. Fukuoka Softbank series will take place at Rakuten Eagles Mobile’s “Strongest Park Miyagi.”

[Head-to-Head Record] Tohoku Rakuten Eagles (6th place) vs. Fukuoka Softbank (1st place): 7 wins, 8 losses, 0 ties

[Announced Starting Pitchers]
Tohoku Rakuten Eagles: Takahisa Hayakawa pitcher 13 games, 4 wins, 4 losses, ERA, 2.93
Fukuoka Softbank: Taiga Kamichatani pitcher 28 games, 6 wins, 0 losses, ERA 2.54

The previous day’s game was rained out just before the start. In this game, Tohoku’s Rakuten Eagles—Takahisa Hayakawa pitcher Fukuoka Softbank, Taiga Kamichatani pitcher will take the mound instead.

Hayakawa pitcher faced Fukuoka Softbank; although his last outing against them resulted in a no-decision with 6 innings pitched and 3 runs, he recorded HQS in both of his May starts and earned win. We’re hoping his pitching will put an end to the team’s losing streak, which has continued since before the All-Star break.Also worth watching is McCusker’s bat, which went on a tear during the last three-game series against Fukuoka Softbank, posting a 12-At Bat, 5-hit, and 4-Home Run.

On the mound, Fukuoka Softbank and Kamichaya pitcher have started the last two games and are on a two-game winning streak. Against Tohoku Rakuten Eagles, he made five relief appearances, allowing 5 inning with no runs. Can he deliver a pitch performance that will further energize the team in the second half of the season? Also, on the offensive side, we’ll be watching for players like Hayakawa pitcher, who recorded 2 At Bat and 2 hit in the previous matchup Ukyo Shuto.

Text by Ryo Aritake