The 2025 professional baseball season is finally upon us, and all eyes are on the starting lineups of each team. The Tokyo Yakult Swallows are no exception, as they prepare to kick off their season with high hopes and a few challenges. The Swallows are set to face the Yomiuri Giants in their opening game at Tokyo Dome on March 28, 2025, starting at 18:15.
Leading the charge for the Swallows will be Akiyoshi Okugawa, who has been named the opening day pitcher. After a two-year absence from the first team, Okugawa made a triumphant return last season, recording three wins and two losses with an impressive ERA of 2.76 over seven games. He has shown great promise during spring training, bouncing back from an early injury to deliver stable performances. Can he lead the Swallows to victory in their season opener?
In a strategic move, manager Mitsugu Takatsu has announced the pitching rotation for the opening series. Following Okugawa, Yasushiro Yoshimura will take the mound for the second game, Koji Takahashi will pitch the third game, and Masanori Ishikawa will start in the home opener on March 31. The competition for the remaining starting spots is heating up, with players like Taihiro Ogawa, Taichi Yamano, and Hironobu Takanashi vying for a place in the rotation. Additionally, new foreign signings Peter Lambert and Pedro Avila are working to overcome their adjustment hurdles, while rookie Yuto Nakamura is also being closely monitored for his potential debut.
The catcher position will be filled by Yuhei Nakamura, who has recently rejoined the first team after overcoming some health issues this spring. Last season, he played a career-high 60 games, but young talents like Naomichi Matsumoto, Yudai Koga, and Sosuke Uchiyama are also in the mix, making for a competitive atmosphere behind the plate.
On the infield, the Swallows will have Jose Osuna at first base, Akahane Yuto at second, Eigoro Mogi at third, and Hidetsugu Nagao at shortstop. Unfortunately, the team will be without star player Tetsuto Yamada, who is sidelined due to a left finger injury, while Munetaka Murakami's status remains uncertain due to upper body issues. In Yamada's absence, Akahane has been making a case for himself, showing improved batting skills after nearly securing a regular spot last season before an injury cut his campaign short. Mogi, who joined the team as a free agent from the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, is expected to step up in Murakami's place, bringing his experience and proven track record of hitting double-digit home runs in a season.
Adding to the excitement, pitcher Akiyoshi Oshiro took to Instagram on March 28 to share his enthusiasm for the season's start, declaring, "The 2025 season will open! Let's all run through to 'Nihonichi'!!" His post, which included hashtags like '#TakeBackTheSoil' and '#Nihonichi', reflects the team's determination to rise to the top this season, fueled by the disappointments of the previous year. Fans responded with a flurry of supportive messages, expressing their eagerness to see him excel on the field.
As the Swallows gear up for their opening game, they are not just facing the Giants but also the weight of expectations from their fans. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on for players like Yoshimura, who will start against the Giants on March 29. After a solid performance last season, where he tied for the team lead with nine wins, Yoshimura is determined to prove himself again. He stated, "I want to have the feeling of not losing and confidence. I want to believe in what I have been doing and go out there." With the support of manager Takatsu, who has entrusted him with the second start, Yoshimura aims for double-digit wins and to meet the required innings pitched this season. "I want to get off to a good start and pitch in a way that meets expectations," he said, showcasing his competitive spirit.
The excitement doesn’t stop there, as the opening series will also feature other matchups in the Central League. The Hiroshima Toyo Carp will take on the Hanshin Tigers at MAZDA Zoom-Zoom Stadium at 18:00, while the Yokohama DeNA BayStars will face the Chunichi Dragons at Yokohama Stadium at 18:30. Fans can catch all the action on various networks, including Nippon Television and DAZN, ensuring that no one misses a moment of the thrilling season opener.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, as they look to build on their past experiences and aim for the championship. With a mix of seasoned players and promising newcomers, the team is ready to hit the ground running. As they take the field, they will carry the hopes of their fans and the ambition to reclaim their place at the top of Japanese baseball.
