It was decided on the 3rd that Orix Buffaloes pitcher Taito Takashima (26) will start in the game against Lotte at Kyocera Dome Osaka on the 4th. In the game against the Softbank Hawks at Kyocera Dome Osaka on August 29, he earned his 5th win by allowing 1 runs on 4 hits over 5 innings. For the right-hander, who has accumulated more wins than his career total of 4 up until last season, this will be his first time pitching on five days' rest, and he set a goal, saying, 'I want to pitch for as many innings as possible. First, I'll aim for 5 innings, and from there, I hope to extend it one inning at a time.'

In 2025, he demonstrated a unique presence as a long reliever. This season, having vowed to 'go as a starter,' he set goals of '5 wins' and '100 innings.' So far, he has completed 81 2/3 innings, ranking fourth on the team behind Kuri, Espinoza, and Jerry. 'I want to extend both my wins and innings as much as possible,' he said with great motivation.

The team adopted a bullpen day for the game against the Rakuten Eagles on the 2nd (Morioka), and Manager Kishida used six pitchers. With Iwasaki, Yamaoka, and Gonda throwing multiple innings, he showed a sense of responsibility, saying, 'Yesterday (the 2nd) was a bullpen day, so I'm keeping that in mind...' He adjusted in Maishima, Osaka, on this day. Although reaching the CS is extremely difficult, the 154 km/h right-hander will demonstrate his growth on the mound.