The 2025 NPB season kicked off on March 28, 2025, with a thrilling matchup between the Orix Buffaloes and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles at the Kyocera Dome Osaka. This highly anticipated game marked the beginning of a new season in Japanese professional baseball, featuring six exciting contests across both the Central and Pacific Leagues.
In a standout moment for the Buffaloes, Kenta Ta田 made headlines by hitting the Pacific League's first home run of the season. Batting sixth as the starting second baseman, Ta田 launched a fastball from Rakuten's starting pitcher, Ryukyu Hayakawa, deep into the left stands during the second inning, giving his team an early lead.
Ta田's performance comes on the heels of a breakout season last year, where he played in a career-high 91 games, boasting a .288 batting average, six home runs, and 40 RBIs. Expectations are high for the seventh-year player as he aims to build on his success from the previous season.
"I hit a fastball. It felt great, and I thought it would reach the stands the moment I made contact! I'm thrilled that my first home run of the season became the opening score, and I’ll stay focused and keep working hard from here on out!" Ta田 expressed after his impressive hit.
The opening day of the 2025 season featured a full slate of games, with other notable matchups including the Hiroshima Toyo Carp facing off against the Hanshin Tigers, and the Yomiuri Giants going head-to-head with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. Fans were treated to a variety of broadcasting options, with games available on various networks and streaming platforms.
The Carp and Tigers clashed at 18:00, broadcasted on Hiroshima Television, Yomiuri Television, and J SPORTS 1, and streamed on J SPORTS On Demand and Amazon Prime Video. Meanwhile, the Giants and Swallows began their contest at 18:15, with coverage on Nippon Television and NTV G+, in addition to streaming on DAZN, Hulu, and GIANTS TV.
As the clock struck 18:30, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars faced the Chunichi Dragons, with the game airing on Chukyo Television, tvk, BS-TBS, and TBS Channel 2, while also being available on DAZN, J SPORTS On Demand, FOD, U-NEXT, and Nico Nico Professional Baseball Channel.
In the Pacific League, the Saitama Seibu Lions battled the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters at 18:00, with broadcasts on Sapporo Television, TV Saitama, BS12 TwellV, and Fuji Television TWO. Fans could also catch the action on DAZN and Pacific League TV.
At 18:15, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks took on the Chiba Lotte Marines, with coverage on FBS Fukuoka Broadcasting, TOKYO MX, and NHK BS Sports Live+. Streaming options included DAZN, Pacific League TV, and Hawks TV.
As the season progresses, fans are eager to see how teams adapt and what storylines will unfold. The excitement of opening day is just the beginning, with numerous games scheduled in the coming weeks. For those looking to catch every moment of the action, DAZN is currently offering a campaign where new subscribers to the 'DAZN BASEBALL' plan can enjoy their first month free if they sign up by April 14, 2025. This plan allows viewers to watch all games throughout the season, making it an attractive option for avid baseball fans.
Furthermore, the DMM x DAZN Hodai plan offers a cost-effective solution for fans, bundling DAZN Standard and DMM Premium for a monthly fee of 3,480 yen, saving subscribers money compared to purchasing each service separately.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the anticipation builds around player performances, team dynamics, and potential playoff races. With the first home run of the season already in the books, fans can expect more thrilling moments ahead as they rally behind their favorite teams. The Orix Buffaloes and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles set the stage for an exciting season with their opening matchup, and all eyes are now on how the rest of the league will respond.
In conclusion, the 2025 NPB season is off to a roaring start, and the excitement is palpable among fans and players alike. With remarkable performances like Ta田's home run and a full slate of games, this season promises to deliver unforgettable moments in Japanese baseball.
