Akihiko Oya, who appeared on "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on Fuji TV ONE on the 23rd, commented on Softbank Hawks 's closer, Kazuki Sugiyama.

In the game Orix Buffaloes that same day, Sugiyama took the hit in the 9th inning with mound 5-2, but gave up Walk to the leadoff Yuma Mune, Keita Nakagawa. He got Tomoya Mori to fly out to shortstop, but on the third pitch to Kotaro Kobayashi, fork after a 1-ball, 1-strike, he gave up a game-tying 3-run homer to left-center field.

Mr. Oya pointed out, "closer, every single pitch is pitcher, but a three-run lead can be surprisingly tricky. I feel like I'm more motivated when the lead is small, and I've noticed that I'm more likely to find myself in a jam when there's a three-run deficit."

Hiroki Nomura, who hosted the program, revealed, "Even the 'Great Demon King' Sasaki said the same thing. He said that a one-run lead is tough, but a three-run lead is too easy. A two-run lead is just right."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"