Don't Miss the Historic Moment: Chiba Lotte's New Manager Saburo's Debut & First Rookie Opening Day Pitcher in 76 Years! 'Yoshimoto BASEBALL LIVE Chiba Lotte vs Saitama Seibu' Live Broadcast from 18:30 on Friday, March 27
BS Yoshimoto to live broadcast the Chiba Lotte season opener!
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 00:32
BS Yoshimoto (BS 265ch) will deliver a live broadcast of the 2026 NPB Pacific League opening game 'Chiba Lotte Marines vs Saitama Seibu Lions' from ZOZO Marine Stadium starting at 18:30 on Friday, March 27.
## History in the Making! First Rookie Opening Day Pitcher in 76 Years vs a Right-Hander Seizing His Long-Awaited First Big Role
The biggest story of this season's Pacific League opener is Chiba Lotte's second-round draft rookie pitcher Kaito Mouri. New manager Saburo has entrusted him with the role of opening day starter — the first rookie to receive this honor since 1950 during the Mainichi Orions era, a span of 76 years in franchise history. Armed with a fastball reaching 151 km/h and a razor-sharp slider, he takes the mound to etch his name in history. For Saitama Seibu, eighth-year pitcher Yutaro Watanabe will make his first career opening day start. Showing dominant consistency with a 1.38 ERA across three preseason games, he earned the coveted role. His powerful arm, topping out at 153 km/h, will stand in the way of the Chiba Lotte lineup.
## 'New Leadership' and 'Major Acquisitions': Two Teams Vowing a Comeback from B-Class
For both teams, who finished in the B-class last season, this is a must-win season.
Chiba Lotte Marines: Saburo, who served as farm team manager and first-team head coach, has been appointed as the new manager. Under the slogan 'PLAY FREE. WIN HARD.', he aims to build a 'bright and fun team' forged through rigorous training, seeking to recapture the excitement of 2005.
Saitama Seibu Lions: The club made its first-ever multiple free agent acquisitions (Masashi Kuwahara and Issei Ishii). True to their slogan 'BREAK THROUGH', they bolstered the defensive center line through aggressive acquisitions and are taking on a season of fighting back and breaking past their own limits.
## Program Information
'Yoshimoto BASEBALL LIVE Chiba Lotte vs Saitama Seibu'
Channel: BS Yoshimoto (BS 265ch)
Broadcast Date & Time: Friday, March 27, 2026, 18:30–22:00 (live broadcast) *Extended up to 23:00 maximum
How to Watch: [TV] BS 265ch (free broadcast) / [Smartphone/PC] https://video.bsy.co.jp/ (free streaming)
Program Page: https://bsy.co.jp/programs/by0000015992
## History in the Making! First Rookie Opening Day Pitcher in 76 Years vs a Right-Hander Seizing His Long-Awaited First Big Role
The biggest story of this season's Pacific League opener is Chiba Lotte's second-round draft rookie pitcher Kaito Mouri. New manager Saburo has entrusted him with the role of opening day starter — the first rookie to receive this honor since 1950 during the Mainichi Orions era, a span of 76 years in franchise history. Armed with a fastball reaching 151 km/h and a razor-sharp slider, he takes the mound to etch his name in history. For Saitama Seibu, eighth-year pitcher Yutaro Watanabe will make his first career opening day start. Showing dominant consistency with a 1.38 ERA across three preseason games, he earned the coveted role. His powerful arm, topping out at 153 km/h, will stand in the way of the Chiba Lotte lineup.
## 'New Leadership' and 'Major Acquisitions': Two Teams Vowing a Comeback from B-Class
For both teams, who finished in the B-class last season, this is a must-win season.
Chiba Lotte Marines: Saburo, who served as farm team manager and first-team head coach, has been appointed as the new manager. Under the slogan 'PLAY FREE. WIN HARD.', he aims to build a 'bright and fun team' forged through rigorous training, seeking to recapture the excitement of 2005.
Saitama Seibu Lions: The club made its first-ever multiple free agent acquisitions (Masashi Kuwahara and Issei Ishii). True to their slogan 'BREAK THROUGH', they bolstered the defensive center line through aggressive acquisitions and are taking on a season of fighting back and breaking past their own limits.
## Program Information
'Yoshimoto BASEBALL LIVE Chiba Lotte vs Saitama Seibu'
Channel: BS Yoshimoto (BS 265ch)
Broadcast Date & Time: Friday, March 27, 2026, 18:30–22:00 (live broadcast) *Extended up to 23:00 maximum
How to Watch: [TV] BS 265ch (free broadcast) / [Smartphone/PC] https://video.bsy.co.jp/ (free streaming)
Program Page: https://bsy.co.jp/programs/by0000015992