The Pacific League clash between the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and the Saitama Seibu Lions takes place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Mizuho PayPay Dome. First pitch is set for 18:00 JST.
The Hawks send left-hander Haru Matsumoto to the mound. This season, Matsumoto holds a 3.67 ERA with 2 wins and 1 loss over 6 appearances. In his lone previous start against the Lions, he posted a 6.23 ERA, walking 4 and striking out 4 over 4.1 innings on May 5.
Opposing him is Seibu right-hander Yutaro Watanabe. Watanabe carries a 4.54 ERA with 1 win and 3 losses across 6 starts this season. Against the Hawks, he has struggled to a 10.80 ERA, allowing 6 earned runs in 5 innings during their May 5 matchup.
**Players to Watch**
For SoftBank, slugger Hotaka Yamakawa has been mired in a slump with a batting average hovering around .200 this season. However, he has shown signs of recovery by crushing three home runs over the past two games. He will look to continue his resurgence with a powerful swing.
On the Seibu side, outfielder Hirakawa has been outstanding on the road, batting .417 away from home. He recorded a multi-hit game at Mizuho PayPay Dome on April 7 and aims to deliver again, helping his team extend a five-game winning streak.
**Broadcast Information**
– Television: TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, TOKYO MX, Sports Live+
– Online Streaming: DAZN, Pacific League TV, Rakuten TV, Baseball LIVE
– Radio: Bunka Hoso, KRY Radio, KBC Radio, RKB Radio, NBC Radio, Kumamoto Hoso, Oita Hoso
**Season Records (Entering the Game)**
*SoftBank Hawks:*
– Record: 3 wins, 6 losses, 0 ties (in H2H vs Seibu this year)
– Team ERA: 4.56
– Batting Average: .201
– Runs Scored: 28
– Hits: 58
– Home Runs: 7
*Seibu Lions:*
– Record: 6 wins, 3 losses, 0 ties (in H2H vs SoftBank this year)
– Team ERA: 3.04
– Batting Average: .291
– Runs Scored: 46
– Hits: 86
– Home Runs: 8
**Recent Head-to-Head Results**
| Date (2026) | Home | Score | Away | Venue |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| May 6 (Wed) | Seibu | 10–2 | SoftBank | Belluna Dome |
| May 5 (Tue) | Seibu | 4–6 | SoftBank | Belluna Dome |
| May 4 (Mon) | Seibu | 10–2 | SoftBank | Belluna Dome |
