Softbank kicks off Japan with consecutive wins What should the giant that loses two consecutive games do, asking the experts? | Full account

Mr. Iida from the Yakult era also played “strong” Seibu in 1992 in the Japanese series.

In the “SMBC Japan Series”, Softbank outpointed the behemoth in the first and second rounds held at the Kyocera Dome, and won two consecutive victories. In the second round, Softbank’s batting line attacked the giant from the first time, and the game advanced. With this, Softbank won the Japan series 10 times in a row. The giant hit Okamoto for the first time in the series and Wheeler made it home, but lost two games in a row. It’s a tough series. What must the giant do before getting the royal hand? I asked Mr. Tetsuya Iida, a baseball commentator.

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――How is the fight for Softbank, who was also a coach until last season?
“You can say it like always, you can play Hawks baseball as usual. Because the hitter’s skill is high, you can hit without failing. The pitchers are just as good as they are. I feel like I have power because I can hold it down. I’m running and I’m sticky even with fouls. The batsman is killing with one shot … I don’t have skis. “

――Which player stands out?
“Kurihara and Glasial. Kurihara didn’t hit at all in CS, and I felt like there was pressure, but I feel better with the home plate hit in the first round. I’m confused. I hit him comfortably. So he’s the key man of the series.” .

– I am concerned about the giant, a series in which only the good points of Softbank are seen.
“No matter how many points you get, 1 loss is 1 loss. It is a decisive battle in the short term, so it is important to divide each game firmly and go in the form of the day. It is not difficult at all. If the opponent is strong No Think about it, it’s about the game, the seat, what you can do. “

――What should you do, the giant who lost two games in a row?
“When you hit the main shaft, hit points and go out, the team will have an atmosphere of” good! “Sakamoto, Okamoto, Maru … Anyone can do it, so go up the points firmly and change the mood. I think it’s important to play first.”

――But Hawks is strong. How should the giant bank behave?
“Anyway, it’s about eating. I don’t know what the decisive battle will be in the short term, so I should never give it an atmosphere or atmosphere like ‘I’m strong’, ‘I can’t win’ or ‘Ah …’ At the moment, it will never be a good result. You should play hard with all your might. Do what you can. Once again, change and challenge the next game. If you win one, the atmosphere will definitely change. “

“Mr. Iida, did you have a similar experience during the Yakult era?”
“I have not had two consecutive losses in the series since the first game, but in 1992, I had one to three consecutive losses. This victory was won by the substitute Sugiura (Toru) who said goodbye to the full point guard. Seibu had the impression that he was “strong”, but from there he won two wins in a row for three wins and three losses. In the end, he could not become the best of Japan, but the atmosphere changed with a win of the consecutive losses.

――The giants are starting to hit little by little, but how about we change the order of the hits, including the top spots?
“I’m winning this way, so I don’t think there will be any major changes, but the three people who will change the atmosphere are No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5. If you lose, you won’t be able to make a strategy, so go to the base. There is a desire to see Hara’s ability. “