Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
Nippon-Ham opens Pacific League playoff final against SoftBank
The Nippon-Ham Fighters began the Pacific League playoff final against the SoftBank Hawks on October 14 in Fukuoka.
The winner advances to the Japan Series.
SoftBank had won the league title for the third year in a row, while Nippon-Ham reached the final by winning the first playoff round against Seibu.
Nippon-Ham had a 5-18-2 record against SoftBank in the regular season and had won only once in 11 games at SoftBank’s home stadium.
Shinjo picked Sachiya Yamasaki to start Game 1, rather than the Nippon-Ham pitchers with the stronger win records.
A two-win advantage for SoftBank means Nippon-Ham must win five games in a series that can last up to seven.
Shinjo also made a three-finger gesture before the game, which was described as a play on SoftBank manager Hiroki Kokubo’s team slogan.
Nippon-Ham will need five wins to reach the Japan Series.
Nippon-Ham began the Pacific League Climax Series final stage against SoftBank on October 14.
The series winner will advance to the Japan Series.
Nippon-Ham named Sachiya Yamasaki, who had five wins this season, as its starting pitcher for Game 1.
SoftBank entered the series as Pacific League champions after winning the league for a third consecutive year.
Nippon-Ham had a 5-18-2 record against SoftBank in the regular season.
- Who
- Nippon-Ham and SoftBank, two Pacific League teams.
- What
- They began the Climax Series final stage, with a place in the Japan Series at stake.
- When
- October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka.
- Why
- The teams are competing for a place in the Japan Series.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Nippon-Ham defeated Seibu in the Climax Series first stage.
Nippon-Ham announced Sachiya Yamasaki as its starting pitcher for the first game against SoftBank.
Nippon-Ham travelled to Fukuoka ahead of the final stage.
Nippon-Ham and SoftBank opened the final stage at Mizuho PayPay Dome.
- Game 1 date
- October 14, 2026
- Venue
- Mizuho PayPay Dome, Fukuoka
- Nippon-Ham starter
- Sachiya Yamasaki
- Yamasaki’s season wins
- 5
- Regular-season record against SoftBank
- 5 wins, 18 losses, 2 draws
4 sources
What people are saying
During the season we were their easy prey, but in the Climax Series it could be the other way around.
Rather than absolutely having to take the first game, what comes after is more important.