Rakuten Eagles 's pitcher Kosei Shoji Shoji, will start in the game against Lotte at home on the 18th.

This season, in which he served as the opening day starter pitcher, he has posted a 5-9 record with a 4.14 ERA ERA in 18 appearances so far. Looking ahead to the game against the Lotte Marines, he said with a serious expression, “I’ll focus on closer the top of the order, where there are many hot hitters, and be careful not to let them runner too much in the lower part of the lineup. I hope I can pitch effectively inning from the very first batter.”

A win would mark his career-high sixth victory. "No matter who the opponent is, I have to win, so I want to focus on doing my job properly first," he said with determination.