SoftBank Hawks and Nippon Ham Fighters face intense back‑to‑back schedule in June

Nippon-Ham pitcher Itō Daikai will start on June 4 against the SoftBank Hawks at the Kyocera Dome, marking the team's 100th game of the season. The matchup is part of an unusual six‑week stretch in which the league’s top two clubs meet consecutively, a schedule the pitcher described as “unusual” and said he hopes to use to close the gap with the league leader. Itō’s record against SoftBank this season is one win in four games with a 6.56 ERA, while he is 1‑0 with a 2.73 ERA against the Seibu Lions.

SoftBank’s outfielder Shuto Yuki, 30, has remained largely injury‑free this year, leading the league with 23 stolen bases and posting a .325 batting average in July. He attributes his durability to a “energy‑saving” training approach that balances workload over months, allowing him to stay on the field for the full season. After a two‑game winning streak against the Rakuten Eagles, SoftBank aims to solidify its position at the top of the Pacific League during the upcoming six‑game run that includes contests with Nippon‑Ham and Seibu.