DeNA right-hander Yuta Ishida, 23, will start for the DeNA BayStars in a clash with the Yomiuri Giants on the 23rd at the Tokyo Dome, coming off a 10-day interval since his last appearance. He insisted the longer rest won’t be a problem, saying he prepared by adding new stimuli to his training to keep himself sharp, even though there were challenging moments.
Ishida has gone 2-3 this season. In his most recent outing against the Giants before this stretch, he went six innings and allowed three earned runs. This season, he received guidance from the team’s ace, Tō, who told him that “six innings and three runs is fine,” a message Ishida has tried to carry into his starts and use to build his outing.
Facing a Giants lineup that features the return of key hitters Okamoto and Yoshikawa, Ishida is determined to stay true to his style and execute his game plan. He hopes his preparation pays off and that he can deliver a solid start to help DeNA stay competitive.
What to watch:
– Ishida’s ability to navigate a Giants lineup now bolstered by their core hitters.
– How well he uses the training stimuli he’s been emphasizing in practice to maintain command and depth early in the game.
– Whether the veteran Giants returnees provide a spark and how DeNA counters with its rotation.
Summary: A pivotal start for Ishida as he builds rhythm after a layoff, aiming to keep his team in the game against a Giants squad riding momentum from the lineups’ returnees.
Additional context: The matchup highlights DeNA’s pitching depth and the importance of a quality start to set a tone in a tightly contested series. If Ishida can replicate the efficiency of his earlier against-Giants outing, he could help the BayStars gain traction in this series. Positive momentum from a strong performance could also lift team morale as they look to convert opportunities against a refreshed opponent.