Sports · Baseball · 5 hrs ago
Japan Series Game 1 Begins in Yokohama Despite Rain Concerns
DeNA and SoftBank opened the Japan Series in Yokohama on October 24, with both teams seeking the championship.
DeNA was aiming for its first title in two years, while SoftBank was pursuing a second straight title.
Rain kept the field covered shortly before the scheduled 6:30 p.m.
start, raising doubts about whether play could begin on time.
SoftBank announced a lineup led by starting pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa, with Kensuke Kondo and Yuki Yanagita in the outfield.
The game did go ahead, and the series continued at Yokohama Stadium.
If games are postponed, the first two remain in Yokohama, before the series moves to Fukuoka for Game 3 after a travel day.
A postponement would also remove the travel day between Games 5 and 6, and rain was forecast for Game 2 on October 25.
DeNA and SoftBank opened the 2026 Japan Series at Yokohama Stadium on October 24.
The best-of-seven series pits DeNA, seeking its first title in two years, against SoftBank, aiming for a second consecutive championship.
The first game was scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. local time, but rain continued in Yokohama as the start approached.
SoftBank named Naoyuki Uwasawa as its starting pitcher and set an attacking lineup featuring Kensuke Kondoh and Yuki Yanagita in the outfield.
Games 1 and 2 are scheduled for Yokohama, with the series moving to Fukuoka for Game 3 after a travel day.
- Who
- DeNA and SoftBank.
- What
- They began the 2026 Japan Series, competing for the championship.
- When
- October 24, 2026. Game 1 was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. local time.
- Where
- Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.
- Why
- DeNA is seeking its first Japan Series title in two years, while SoftBank is aiming for a second consecutive title.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
At a managers' meeting, SoftBank manager Hiroki Kokubo asked about the schedule if Games 1 and 2 were rained out.
Game 1 of the Japan Series was scheduled to begin at Yokohama Stadium at 6:30 p.m. local time.
Rain continued in Yokohama and covers remained on parts of the field.
- Game 1
- October 24, 2026
- Venue
- Yokohama Stadium, Yokohama
- Scheduled start
- 6:30 p.m. local time
- SoftBank starting pitcher
- Naoyuki Uwasawa
- Series schedule
- Games 1 and 2 in Yokohama; Game 3 onward in Fukuoka
- First-game weather
- Rain continued in Yokohama as the scheduled start approached
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