The first round match between Chiba Lotte and Tohoku Rakuten will be held at Zozo Marine Stadium from 6:00 p.m. on April 4th.

[Last season's results] Chiba Lotte vs. Tohoku Rakuten 13 wins, 11 losses, 1 draw

[Scheduled starting pitchers]
Chiba Lotte: pitcher Haruya Tanaka: 4 games, 1 win, 1 loss, ERA 1.80 (last season)
Tohoku Rakuten: pitcher Takahisa Hayakawa 1 game, 0 wins, 0 losses, ERA 3.00

For Chiba Lotte, third-year pro pitcher Haruya Tanaka will be making his first appearance and first start of the season. Last season, he started in four games, earning his first professional win on July 3rd against Hokkaido Nippon-Ham. He is set to be included in the opening rotation this season, pitching as the second reliever in the match against Hiroshima on March 6th, making a strong showing with two hit, three strike out no runs in five innings. On March 22nd, he started in the Eastern League match against Saitama Seibu, pitching six innings with two hit, no Hit by Pitch five strike out no runs, furthering his preparations. Keep an eye on the young right-hander's pitching.

Tohoku Rakuten 's Rui Muneyama player, Rui Muneta, hit in four consecutive games since the start of the season, and has recorded multiple hit in two consecutive games. starting line-up as the leadoff hitter and short stop in the game against Saitama Seibu on the 3rd. hit in his first at-bat, and in his third at-bat, he hit hit to left field with one out and runners on first and second. Will this promising star be able to contribute to win day after day?

Text by Ayako Kikuchi

・ Pacific League standings /individual results