Hanshin vs. DeNA: In the top of the fourth inning with one out and runners on first and second, Shoki Murakami allowed a run-scoring single to Yota Kyoda, and an error by his own defense led to two runs crossing the plate. The runner from first, Yudai Yamamoto, also scored. (Photo taken on May 8, 2026)
For baseball fans, Mondays are a special day. We look back on the past week and look ahead to the next. We asked an expert for his review and outlook. In the Central League edition, Seiki Nakanishi (63, Nikkan Sports commentator) discusses the issues facing the Hanshin Tigers, who have now dropped two consecutive series.
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Last week, the Tigers lost two series in a row. What concerns me is Murakami. In the game against DeNA on May 8 at Koshien Stadium, he gave up two runs over seven innings, taking his third loss of the season. Not only has he not gotten a win, but the content of his pitching also worries me. I feel he’s relying too much on breaking balls. Last year, he was aggressive with his fastball, but now he’s trying to get by with off-speed stuff. That’s a bit worrying.
There’s no doubt the starting rotation is under extra pressure. That’s because the bullpen is unstable. Last year, the Tigers had Oikawa and Ishii locked down the seventh and eighth innings. But this year is different. When you feel uneasy about the late innings, you tend to want to stretch your starters a bit more. If you have reliable relievers, you can pull the starter after six innings and hand it over for the seventh and eighth.
On the other hand, Yakult and Chunichi both won their series last week. The key is pitching. I don’t think Yakult will suddenly fade. Manager Ikezawa’s bold decisions are paying off, and the players are responding. Despite being criticized before the season, Yakult’s team ERA of 3.02 leads the league. Their starters and relievers are clicking. They won’t easily slide down the standings. As for Chunichi, they have Daisuke Ono, Yudai Yanagi, Hiroto Takahashi, and Kanemaru. They’re a team with strong starters from the start. Once their injured players return, they have plenty of room to move up.
For Hanshin, now is the time to be patient, but they also need to take action sooner rather than later. If the relievers are different every day, that’s not a good sign. They need to sort things out. A pitcher like Kentaro Kudo throws hard and can get strikeouts. The Tigers need those lively arms to step up and settle into roles.
Interleague play starts in two weeks. I shouldn’t say this every year, but Central League teams generally struggle with it. Pacific League hitters drive the ball more and there are many power pitchers. It might be good enough for Hanshin to aim for a .500 record. More important is to build a stable pitching structure early on. That is the top priority. (Nikkan Sports commentator)
[Illustration] 12-team standings prediction by commentator Seiki Nakanishi
[Illustration] Nikkan Sports commentator’s 2026 Central League standings prediction