Don't miss the debut of new Chiba Lotte manager Saburo & the historic moment of the first rookie opening day pitcher in 76 years! "Yoshimoto BASEBALL LIVE Chiba Lotte vs. Saitama Seibu" Live broadcast from 18:30 on Friday, March 27th.
BS Yoshimoto will broadcast the 2026 Pro Baseball Pacific League opening game between the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Saitama Seibu Lions live from ZOZO Marine Stadium on March 27th. The game features the debut of Lotte's new manager, Saburo, and a historic pitching matchup. Lotte's rookie Kaito Mori will be the first rookie opening day starter for the team in 76 years, while Seibu's Yutaro Watanabe makes his first career opening day start. Both teams, having finished in the B-class last season, are aiming for a comeback with new team structures and player reinforcements.
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 06:10
On BS Yoshimoto (BS265ch), the 2026 professional baseball Pacific League opening game between the Chiba Lotte Marines and the Saitama Seibu Lions will be broadcast live from ZOZO Marine Stadium on Friday, March 27, starting at 18:30.
History in the making! First rookie opening day pitcher in 76 years vs. a right-hander who seized his long-awaited first major role.
The main highlight of this season's Pacific League opener is Chiba Lotte's second-round draft rookie pitcher, Kaito Mori. New manager Saburo has entrusted him with the significant role of being the team's first rookie opening day pitcher in 76 years, a first since the Mainichi Orions era in 1950. Armed with a fastball reaching 151 km/h and a sharp slider, he will take the mound to make his mark in history. Facing him for the Saitama Seibu is Yutaro Watanabe, an 8th-year pitcher, who will be making his own first opening day start. He secured the coveted spot with exceptional stability, posting a 1.38 ERA over three preseason games. His powerful arm, capable of reaching 153 km/h, will stand against the Chiba Lotte batting lineup.
Both powerhouses vow a comeback from the B-class with "new systems" and "major reinforcements."
For both teams that fell into the B-class last season, this is a must-win season.
Chiba Lotte Marines: Saburo, who previously served as the second-team manager and first-team head coach, has been appointed as the new manager. With the slogan "PLAY FREE. WIN HARD.", he aims to recreate the excitement of 2005 by "building a bright and enjoyable team" that emerges from rigorous training.
Saitama Seibu Lions: For the first time in the team's history, they have acquired multiple free agents (Masashi Kuwahara, Issei Ishii). True to their slogan "Breakthrough," they will challenge the season with a counterattack to break their own limits, thanks to aggressive reinforcements that have strengthened their defensive centerline.
[Program Information]
"Yoshimoto BASEBALL LIVE Chiba Lotte vs Saitama Seibu"
Broadcast Channel: BS Yoshimoto (BS265ch)
Broadcast Date and Time: March 27, 2026 (Friday) 18:30 - 22:00 (Live Broadcast) *Maximum extension until 23:00
How to Watch:
[TV] BS265ch (Free broadcast)
[Smartphone/PC] https://video.bsy.co.jp/ (Free streaming)
Program HP: https://bsy.co.jp/programs/by0000015992
History in the making! First rookie opening day pitcher in 76 years vs. a right-hander who seized his long-awaited first major role.
The main highlight of this season's Pacific League opener is Chiba Lotte's second-round draft rookie pitcher, Kaito Mori. New manager Saburo has entrusted him with the significant role of being the team's first rookie opening day pitcher in 76 years, a first since the Mainichi Orions era in 1950. Armed with a fastball reaching 151 km/h and a sharp slider, he will take the mound to make his mark in history. Facing him for the Saitama Seibu is Yutaro Watanabe, an 8th-year pitcher, who will be making his own first opening day start. He secured the coveted spot with exceptional stability, posting a 1.38 ERA over three preseason games. His powerful arm, capable of reaching 153 km/h, will stand against the Chiba Lotte batting lineup.
Both powerhouses vow a comeback from the B-class with "new systems" and "major reinforcements."
For both teams that fell into the B-class last season, this is a must-win season.
Chiba Lotte Marines: Saburo, who previously served as the second-team manager and first-team head coach, has been appointed as the new manager. With the slogan "PLAY FREE. WIN HARD.", he aims to recreate the excitement of 2005 by "building a bright and enjoyable team" that emerges from rigorous training.
Saitama Seibu Lions: For the first time in the team's history, they have acquired multiple free agents (Masashi Kuwahara, Issei Ishii). True to their slogan "Breakthrough," they will challenge the season with a counterattack to break their own limits, thanks to aggressive reinforcements that have strengthened their defensive centerline.
[Program Information]
"Yoshimoto BASEBALL LIVE Chiba Lotte vs Saitama Seibu"
Broadcast Channel: BS Yoshimoto (BS265ch)
Broadcast Date and Time: March 27, 2026 (Friday) 18:30 - 22:00 (Live Broadcast) *Maximum extension until 23:00
How to Watch:
[TV] BS265ch (Free broadcast)
[Smartphone/PC] https://video.bsy.co.jp/ (Free streaming)
Program HP: https://bsy.co.jp/programs/by0000015992