This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
With Seibu's loss to the red-hot Orix Buffaloes today, the Hawks gained a half-game, and are 7.5 games in back of the Lions. While the Buffaloes have been winning, the Hawks have to worry about themselves and the task at-hand and that is taking both games against Lotte.
It starts off very tough, as the Hawks have to face Yoshihisa Naruse, who has been good this season, just not as good as he was last season. Naruse is 1-2 with a 2.45 ERA against the Hawks this season, with his only start at Yahoo! Dome being a hard-luck loss as he went 8 innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. His overall record this season is 6-6, with a 3.30 ERA.
Pitching for the Hawks will be DJ Houlton, who is 4-4 with a 3.58 ERA on the season. He has been nothing short of spectacular against Lotte this season. He is 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA in 17 and 2/3 innings against the Marines with 19 strikeouts.
This game begins at 6PM Japan time.