2026 SMBC Japan Series baseball

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks have taken a 2-0 lead in the 2026 SMBC Japan Series following a 4-3 extra-innings victory over the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Yokohama Stadium on October 25.

In the first game on October 24, SoftBank defeated DeNA 3-1 in an 11-inning contest. Naoyuki Uwasawa pitched seven scoreless innings, and the Hawks secured the win in the 11th inning via an RBI double by Yudai Shoji and a sacrifice fly by Tatsu Yanagimachi. Reliever Roberto Osuna provided critical relief during high-pressure moments.

In the second game, SoftBank starter Liván Moinelo pitched seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. Although Yokohama’s Yoshitomo Tsutsui hit a three-run home run in the eighth to take the lead, Hotaka Yamakawa responded with a solo shot in the ninth to force extra innings. Yuto Kawamura eventually secured the win with a solo home run in the tenth. Kawamura’s performance marked only the second time in history a player has hit a “walk-off style decisive home run in his first career Japan Series at-bat.”

Analysts have noted the influence of recent trades on the series. SoftBank catcher Yuto Yamamoto, acquired from DeNA in May, has provided an advantage through his familiarity with the BayStars lineup. Meanwhile, DeNA pitcher Takuto Ogata, also a recent trade acquisition, transitioned from a reliever to a starter and pitched in the second game.

As the series moves to the Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka for Game 3, SoftBank is expected to start Haru Matsumoto, while DeNA will counter with Katsuki Azuma; both pitchers enter the matchup with 12 wins this season.