The 20th game between the Saitama Seibu Lions and Fukuoka Softbank will be held at Belluna Dome on August 9th at 5 PM.

[Head-to-head record] Saitama Seibu Lions (2nd place) vs. Fukuoka Softbank (1st place): 10 wins, 9 losses

[Announced Starting Pitcher]
Saitama Seibu Lions: Natsuki Takeuchi pitcher 16 games, 8 wins, 5 losses, ERA 2.98
Fukuoka Softbank: pitcher Yugo Maeda 12 games, 9 wins, 0 losses, ERA 1.93

The Saitama Seibu Lions, who have climbed back to second place the previous day, will start pitcher Natsuki Takeuchi. In his last start on August 2nd against Orix Buffaloes, he recorded a quality start with 7 innings pitched, 93 pitches, 5 hit, 1 Walk and 1 runs allowed, earning his 8th win of the season, tying him for the team lead. Meanwhile, An-Ko Lin has been in good form at the plate. He has been increasingly used starting line-up since around July, and has posted a monthly batting average of .311 in 14 games. In August alone, he has recorded 3 RBI in 6 games. He will be looking to hit sharp line drives for extra-base hits and fulfill his role as a key player in the lineup.

On the opposing side, league leaders Fukuoka Softbank are keeping an eye on Tatsuru Yanagimachi. He has faced pitcher Takeuchi in two games so far, and has performed well with 3 hit At Bat Walk and 2 RBI. The starting pitcher will be Yugo Maeda, who has a perfect 9-0 pitch so far this season. In his last start against Tohoku Rakuten Eagles (August 2nd), he gave up 5 runs in 6 innings but was helped by his teammates' support to secure the win. Can he regain the impressive pitch he showed in the first half of the season and achieve his first double-digit win?

Written by Ryo Aritake