As the sun sets on March 28, 2025, the excitement in the air is palpable as professional baseball kicks off its new season across Japan. This year marks a significant milestone for the Yomiuri Giants, who enter the opening series against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows with an impressive record: 12 consecutive winning seasons in opening cards, the longest streak in the history of professional baseball.
The Giants have faced the Swallows a staggering 27 times in opening matches, showcasing a remarkable dominance with 19 wins and just 7 losses, aside from a couple of draws. Their last encounter in an opening series saw the Giants lose to the Swallows back in 2012, but since then, they have been a force to reckon with. The Giants are looking to extend their streak and start the season strong under the leadership of manager Abe, who is entering his second year at the helm.
On this opening day, all eyes will be on Tokyo Dome, where the Giants will take on the Swallows at 18:15 JST. The anticipated starting pitcher for the Giants is Shoei Togoh, who is expected to deliver a solid performance against Yakult’s ace, Yasushige Okugawa. This matchup promises to be exciting, as both pitchers have shown great form leading up to the season.
But the Giants aren’t the only team with a strong opening history. The Swallows have also been performing well in recent years, remaining undefeated in their last three opening series, with a record of 8 wins and 1 draw over the past nine games. This sets the stage for a thrilling battle, as both teams vie for supremacy right from the start of the season.
Looking ahead to the rest of the three-game series, the Giants will send Akahoshi to the mound on March 29, followed by Ishikawa on March 30, while the Swallows will counter with Yoshimura and Takahashi respectively. The anticipation builds as fans prepare for what could be a pivotal opening series.
In addition to the on-field action, fans can catch all the excitement live. The games will be broadcasted nationwide on NTV, with coverage starting at various times throughout the series. On March 28, the coverage begins at 18:10 JST, featuring commentators Yumi Takahashi and Seiichi Uchikawa. For those who prefer BS broadcasts, viewers can tune in to BS NTV at 21:21 JST for a relay broadcast.
As the season kicks off, the atmosphere is electric not just in the stadiums but across the nation, with fans eagerly sharing their thoughts and encouragement through a new 'cheering comment' function. This feature allows supporters to submit comments for each team during the games, fostering a sense of community and engagement among fans. Comments can be posted from 12:00 to 24:00 on game days, adding an interactive layer to the viewing experience.
In other matches scheduled for today, the Seibu Lions will face off against the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at Belluna Dome, with Tatsuya Imai taking the mound for Seibu against Naomasa Kanemura for Nippon-Ham. The Orix Buffaloes are set to clash with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles at Kyocera Dome Osaka, featuring Taiyo Miyagi as the starting pitcher for Orix and Takatoshi Hayakawa for Rakuten.
Meanwhile, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will take on the Chiba Lotte Marines at Mizuho PayPay Dome, with Kohei Arihara starting for SoftBank and Kazuya Ojima for Lotte. The Hiroshima Toyo Carp will go head-to-head with the Hanshin Tigers at MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium, where Akihito Morishita will pitch for Hiroshima against Koki Murakami from Hanshin. Lastly, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars will battle the Chunichi Dragons at Yokohama Stadium, with Kaito Higashi on the mound for DeNA and Hiroto Takahashi for Chunichi.
This opening day is not just about the games; it’s also a celebration of baseball culture in Japan, with fans coming together to support their teams and engage in spirited discussions around the league. As teams take to the field, the hopes and dreams of players and fans alike hang in the balance, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating season ahead.
As the Giants and Swallows prepare to clash, the question remains: will the Giants continue their dominance in opening cards, or will the Swallows prove their mettle and end their winning streak? With the first pitch just moments away, fans are on the edge of their seats, ready to witness the beginning of another thrilling season of professional baseball.
