As the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) postseason progresses, here is a look at the top news and notes from the past day in Japan’s highest level of professional baseball.
Arihara Makes History in Key Win
In another addition to his cast of auspicious starts, Kohei Arihara threw seven innings of two-run ball, striking out seven in a key win for the SoftBank Hawks over the Nippon-Ham Fighters. Arihara struck out eight, walked just two, and, most importantly, flashed the kind of high-level stuff expected of him all season. Arihara tallied his 4th career Climax Series Win, tying him for 3rd all-time in Climax Series history.
Pitching Matchups Set
With both teams locked at one win apiece, both the DeNA Baystars and the Yomiuri Giants will turn to key contributors as they look for a potentially series-defining win. The Baystars will call upon Shinichi Ohnuki, who finished the season with a 2.85 ERA and six wins, to take on Tomoyuki Sugano, who was one of the best pitchers in the NPB this season, finishing the regular season with a 15-3 record and a minuscule 1.67 ERA.
Looking to clinch a series sweep, Livan Moinelo, who went 11-5 this season with an impressive 1.88 ERA, will take the mound for the Softbank Hawks. Takayuki Katoh (10-9, 2.70 ERA) will look to extend the season for the Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Tanaka Gives Back
Known for his aptitude on and off the field, Masahiro Tanaka will host the “Ma-kun Cup 2024” on November 11th for students with little baseball experience. Tanaka, who finished the regular season with a 3.56 ERA for the Rakuten Eagles, will hold drills practicing basic baseball skills in Sendai.
Watch the NPB playoffs on DAZN.
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WBN NPB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/japan/
Photo Credit: Livan Moinelo #89 of the Cuba National team pitches during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Estadio Latinoamericano on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 in Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB via Getty Images)
