On September 12th from 18:00, the 23rd round between Saitama Seibu Lions and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham will be held at Belluna Dome.

【Match Record】Saitama Seibu Lions (2nd) vs. Hokkaido Nippon-Ham (3rd) 12 wins, 10 losses

【Probable Starters】
Saitama Seibu Lions: Chihiro Sumida pitcher 21 games 9 wins 7 losses, ERA 2.21 (2nd)
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham: Hiromi Ito pitcher 23 games 9 wins 9 losses, ERA 3.11

Saitama Seibu Lions will start pitcher Chihiro Sumida. In his previous appearance (on the 5th against Fukuoka Softbank), although he took the loss, he pitched well, allowing 2 runs on 6 hit, 1 Walk, and 7 strike out over 7 innings with 100 pitches. Additionally, in August, he achieved a monthly ERA of 0.58 across 4 games, including a shutout game win, reaching HQS in all of them. Can he maintain this good form and secure his 10th win, matching his career high?

Starting for Hokkaido Nippon-Ham is pitcher Hiromi Ito. In his previous appearance (on the 5th against Tohoku Rakuten Eagles), he earned his first win since June 19th, allowing 1 runs on 8 hit with no Walk or Hit by Pitch and 4 strike out over 7 innings with 90 pitches. Pitcher Hiromi Ito has appeared in 7 games against Saitama Seibu Lions this season, recording an ERA of 2.33. Can he achieve double-digit win for the third consecutive year in this match?

Text by Aoi Nemoto