The Tokyo Dome erupted with excitement as the Giants faced off against the Lotte Marines on March 23, 2025, in their final open game ahead of the upcoming season. This match was particularly significant, as it marked both a showcase for new talent and a chance for the team to finalize their line-up.
Starting for the Giants was Tatsuya Ishikawa, who had joined the team as a free agent after being released by DeNA. Having demonstrated impressive form with a 0.00 ERA through two open games, Ishikawa was given the responsibility to pitch five innings on this crucial day.
Ishikawa’s journey has been noteworthy—his performance in the previous matches, including a practice game where he pitched four scoreless innings, built a foundation of confidence for this moment. “I want to ensure that I can pitch five innings while maintaining good content to lead up to the start of the regular season,” he affirmed, signaling his determination to excel.
Commentators Takashi Egawa and Yumi Takahashi highlighted Ishikawa’s performance, asking key questions about how he would fare against Lotte’s formidable hitters, including stars like Munetaka Murakami and Yasunobu Okugawa. Hiroyuki Arahata, also from the Giants, expressed anticipation about Ishikawa’s ability to handle these challenges and the importance of his changeup and screwball while pitching.
In the line-up for the Giants, there were significant changes based on player conditions. Hayato Maru, who had sustained a right leg injury in the previous game, was notably absent from the starting line-up. “I thought about continuing, but it didn’t feel right,” Maru said. In his place, Rakuto Wakabayashi took on the left-field role while the usual order remained intact for the rest of the batting lineup, other than Kazuma Okamoto settling at the fourth spot.
Meanwhile, the Lotte Marines were readying themselves with their starting pitcher, Seiya Taneichi, looking to capitalize on the Giants’ adjustments. Seiya Nishikawa, Lotte’s promising first draft pick, warmed up to step into the limelight, engaging in a friendly batting conversation with Giants’ Hayato Asano prior to the game. The two players, who had previously fought alongside Samurai Japan, seemed focused on making their mark in today’s match.
During the Giants' game against the Lotte Marines, concerns about Ishikawa's ability were valid, particularly given the pressures of handling a rotation that had not yet been fully established. Ishikawa not only wanted to prove his worth but aimed to leverage the experience gained from facing Major League players in recent encounters.
For Lotte, Nishikawa had a chance to redeem himself after experience setbacks from the previous day where he struck out against Daiya Funaki. In an act of vengeance, he found his rhythm and successfully converted a changeup into a two-base hit, bringing in two runners and emphasizing his capabilities just before the opening season. “I want to play my own game and not change anything,” Nishikawa stated, declaring his intentions upcoming in the games.
The atmosphere in the Tokyo Dome was electric, filled with fans eager to witness their team solidify their strategies as the regular season approached. Ishikawa and Nishikawa were at the forefront, both looking to prove their worth and become integral to their teams' success.
In the earlier game on March 22, Maru had showcased his skills by hitting a crucial timely hit but had to leave due to injury—a disheartening late-game turn. In Maru’s absence, players like Wakabayashi were thrust into the spotlight. Each inning carried the story of preparation, persistence, and perhaps, destiny as the teams fought for their final compositions before they truly began.
As the game wound down, the tension was tangible—a test of the Giants' resilience and Lotte’s aspirations. On the brink of their new seasons, both teams left it all on the field, demonstrating not only their capabilities but also the spirit and dedication of professional baseball.
With the encouragement of the fans, the players faced both opportunity and challenge, eager for what the future holds in the upcoming season. The final game in this series confirmed that every at-bat and every pitch counted—an echo of the importance of teamwork, strategy, and individual excellence.
