◆ Pacific League Seibu-Rakuten (29th and Belluna Dome)

Seibu Lions pitcher Natsuki Takeuchi will start the game against the Rakuten Eagles at Belluna Dome on the 30th.

He skipped his previously scheduled start on the 23rd against the Rakuten Eagles (Rakuten Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi) due to back tension, but the condition of the affected area is in perfect shape and he is "fully prepared."

This game is being held as the retirement game for outfielder Takumi Kuriyama, who has spent his entire 25-year career with the Seibu Lions. Coincidentally, Takeuchi was born in 2001, the year Kuriyama was selected in the fourth round of the draft by the Seibu Lions and began his professional baseball career. Twenty-five years later, playing in the same game as teammates, Takeuchi expressed his boundless respect, saying, "I'm only in my third year, so I can't even imagine playing for 25 years."

Heading to the mound wearing Kuriyama's number '1', the left-hander said, 'I think it's a valuable experience and something that rarely happens. I want to pitch with a strong sense of responsibility. I want to win—that's all—so I want to deliver a performance that leads to a win.' He will add flair to this special day by delivering a great performance.