On August 27th at 6:00 PM, a 20-round match between Chiba Lotte Marines and Fukuoka Softbank will take place on Zozo Marine Stadium.

[Head-to-head Record] Chiba Lotte Marines (5th place) vs Fukuoka Softbank (1st place) 6 wins, 12 losses, 1 draw

[Announced Starting Lineup]
Chiba Lotte Marines: Kaito Mori pitcher 14 games, 3 wins, 4 losses, ERA 4.82
Fukuoka Softbank: Taiga Kamichatani pitcher 31 games, 7 wins, 1 loss, ERA 2.55

starter has struggled for the second consecutive game, with 5 runs in the first inning, and Chiba Lotte Marines saw their second-round draft rookie Kaito Mori pitcher move to mound. In his previous appearance (13th, against Saitama Seibu Lions), he pitched 2 innings with 4 runs and couldn't fulfill his role, but he wants to ride the momentum of the team that made a dramatic walk-off win the day before. Also, Naonori Yasuda and Daito Yamamoto players, who made pinch hits the previous day, can they improve their form and contribute to the team's rise to the top of the ranks?

On the other hand, Fukuoka Softbank aims to take the lead in the series with Taiga Kamichatani pitcher. On the 15th, against Tohoku Rakuten Eagles, although he threw 6 runs, he threw 7 inning for the third consecutive game, showing his awareness as a starter. This will be his first start in Game Chiba Lotte Marines this season, but he has pitched in 5 games in the first half, pitching 8 innings and 1 runs, showing great consistency. Can he play a role in this game as well and claim his 8th win, surpassing the career-high set set in his rookie year in 2019?

Text by Ao Yokoyama