On 3 April, at 1:00 p.m., the first round match between Tohoku Rakuten and Saitama Seibu will be held in Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi.

Last season's head-to-head record: Tohoku Rakuten vs Saitama Seibu 14 wins, 10 losses, 1 draw

【Predicted starters (last season's results)】
Tohoku Rakuten: Takayuki Kishi pitcher 22 games, 6 wins, 11 losses, ERA 2.83
Saitama Seibu: Taiga Ueda pitcher 17 games, 0-0, ERA 2.70

This card was canceled due to rain for the second day in a row. Takayuki Kishi pitcher will start the Tohoku opener. This season marks his 19th year as a professional and his 40th season. He made two appearances to open the season, posting a total of 10 innings, hit, 5 strike out and ERA 4.50. On March 26, his final tune-up before the start of the season, against Eastern Chiba Lotte, he threw two innings and allowed 1 hit, 3 strike out and no runs pitch. Let's look forward to seeing the veterans in action in the long-awaited home opener.

On the other hand, Saitama Seibu 's announced starter is Taiga Ueda pitcher, who is in his second year as a professional. It will be his second professional start since September 28 and Chiba Lotte last year. His most recent appearance was on March 26 against Eastern Yokohama DeNA. He moved up to mound in the second, going 6 hit 2 runs in the third inning. Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi This is his first start, but can he pitch well?

Written by Ayako Kikuchi

・ Pacific League standings Table/Individual Achievements