DeNA’s 23-year-old pitcher Yuta Ishida is set to start against the Yomiuri Giants on the 23rd, coming off a 10-day layoff since his last outing. He said the longer interval won’t be a problem, noting that he prepared for the start by introducing different stimuli into his training to keep things challenging.
Ishida is 2-3 on the season. In his most recent appearance against the Giants, he allowed three runs through six innings. Earlier in the year, he received guidance from the club’s ace, who told him that “six innings and three runs is fine,” a message Ishida has carried into his preparation for the upcoming game.
The Giants’ lineup features a return to form from core hitters like Okamoto and Yoshikawa, making Ishida’s task tougher. Nevertheless, he emphasized sticking to his own pitching plan and competing with his best stuff.
Why this matters: A solid bounce-back start for Ishida could stabilize DeNA’s rotation as they try to build consistent performances, especially with a dangerous Giants lineup back to full strength. A successful outing could also boost Ishida’s confidence as he works to translate his training adjustments into results on the mound.
Summary: Ishida will look to resume his season with a focused approach after a rest period, aiming to perform well against a Giants lineup that features returning power hitters. Positive momentum from this start could help him and DeNA solidify their pitching staff moving forward.
Positive spin: There’s reason for optimism—Ishida is approaching the start with renewed training methods and clear guidance from a seasoned ace, and he faces a Giants lineup that is still finding its rhythm after some key players returned.