◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Orix Buffaloes (23rd, Mizuho PayPay Dome)

Softbank Hawks Hawks infielder Kenta Imamiya will be starting for the first time in five games. He's on a four-game hit and is in great form in August with a batting average of .357. defense skills, which have earned him five Golden Glove Awards at shortstop, are also evident at second base.

On the 22nd, fellow veteran Akira Nakamura will join the first team. Imamiya, who has spent his entire 17th year The Hawks, will further boost the team's momentum as they aim for their third consecutive league championship.

Softbank Hawks 's starting line-up is as follows:

1 (Right) Masaki

2 (middle) Zhou Higashi

3 (Left) Konfuji

4 (3) Kurihara

5(D) Yanagita

6 (Catcher) Yu Yamamoto

7 (2) Imamiya

8 (1) Takashi Hirose

9 (Play) Shoko

Haru Matsumoto: Matsumoto Haru