Carp Set for Crucial Three-Game Series Against DeNA as Tokoda, Suzuki and Kuribayashi Take the Mound

The Hiroshima Carp are preparing for one of their most important series of the season.

Beginning August 25, Hiroshima will host a three-game series against the third-place Yokohama DeNA BayStars, with Hiroki Tokoda, Kenya Suzuki and Ryoji Kuribayashi expected to take the mound in succession.

The Carp currently trail DeNA by 3.5 games, making the series a major opportunity to close the gap and move closer to the postseason race.

For Tokoda, who is scheduled to start the series opener on August 25, the situation is straightforward.

“We're in last place, so we have no choice but to win. We just have to focus on winning each game.”

Tokoda also pointed to the team's recent results as a minimum target.

“We won the series last week, so I think that's the minimum we need to do again.”

The left-hander returned to the rotation on August 18 after missing time with left shoulder tightness. He will now be asked to provide stability at the beginning of this critical series.

Kuribayashi is scheduled to start the third game and has already established himself as one of Hiroshima's most interesting success stories this season.

After being converted from a closer into a starter, Kuribayashi has excelled in his new role, posting a 2.04 ERA and five wins in 13 starts, including 10 quality starts.

Despite the importance of facing a direct rival in the standings, Kuribayashi insists that his approach will not change.

“Honestly, no matter who we're playing, we have to win. That doesn't change.”

He added:

“I just need to pitch in a way that gives us a chance to win.”

The middle game on August 26 will be started by submarine right-hander Kenya Suzuki.

Suzuki already faced DeNA earlier this month and delivered an efficient performance, throwing six innings of two-hit, one-run baseball on just 75 pitches.

He benefited from DeNA's aggressive approach at the plate, using their tendency to swing early to keep his pitch count extremely low.

August 26 will be Suzuki's third consecutive start, and he plans to make adjustments based on what he sees from the BayStars' lineup.

“I'll approach the game the way I normally do, and then talk with the catcher and make adjustments where necessary.”

The previous series between the two teams ended badly for Hiroshima.

When they met on August 9, DeNA swept all three games, turning what had been a three-game gap into a six-game gap.

Now the Carp have an opportunity to reverse that trend.

With Tokoda returning to the rotation, Suzuki coming off an efficient performance against the same opponent and Kuribayashi thriving as a starter, Hiroshima has a strong chance to make this series competitive.

For a team trying to climb out of the bottom of the Central League, the objective is simple:

Win the series, close the gap and keep the postseason race alive.