Hanshin Tigers manager Akinobu Okada named right-hander Taisho Ono as Saturday's starter for Climax Series final-stage Game 3 against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Koshien Stadium, with Hanshin trailing the best-of-six series 0-2 and facing elimination. DeNA countered with lefty Shota Dobayashi on the mound and cleanup threat Shingo Murakami in the heart of the order, matching NPB's published 2 p.m. first-pitch schedule for October 17.
Series situation
DeNA took Games 1 and 2 at Koshien this week, collecting seven singles in one contest and leaning on bullpen depth in the other, according to game summaries on NPB's official site. Hanshin must win four straight—or force a Game 6—to advance to the Japan Series, a steep climb that puts every pitch on Ono's shoulders in front of a home crowd that filled the stands during the regular season's pennant race.
The BayStars travel from Yokohama but bat as visitors in Hanshin's home park, where outfield dimensions favor Murakami's pull-side power when winds blow out toward left.
Pitching matchup
Ono posted a sub-3.00 ERA in September after tweaking his slider grip, giving Tigers fans hope he can neutralize DeNA's left-heavy lineup. Dobayashi, announced as starter on the league schedule page, excels at inducing grounders in the BayStars' pitcher-friendly Yokohama Stadium but must adjust to Koshien's dirt infield that can speed up choppers.
Bullpens are rested strategically: DeNA used closer Yuya Gōda sparingly in Game 2; Hanshin leaned on setup man Kōyō Nagayama for multiple innings, which may limit his availability early Saturday.
Key bats
Murakami's two-run homer in Game 1 set the tone; Hanshin pitchers walked him twice in Game 2. Tigers slugger Kōji Chikamoto needs on-base traffic ahead of cleanup hitter Sheldon Neuse, whose postseason average trails his regular-season mark. DeNA catcher Takuya Kai continues to frame borderline strikes that frustrate visiting managers.
NPB statcast is not public, but local broadcasts highlighted Murakami's average exit velocity up two miles per hour versus last October.
Fan and transit impact
JR West adds trains from Osaka and Kobe after the afternoon game; Hanshin Railway expects congestion at Umeda and Nishinomiya stations. Ticket resale platforms banned QR screenshots after counterfeit-ticket warnings from rail police this week.
Game 4 is scheduled Sunday at the same 2 p.m. slot if Hanshin wins, compressing recovery for both rotations.
Historical note
Hanshin last won the Climax Series in 2023; DeNA seeks its first Japan Series appearance since relocating branding to Yokohama. Koshien's ivy walls and open roof make October afternoons unpredictable—forecasters call for dry weather with light winds, favoring hitters slightly.
What's on the line
For Ono, Game 3 is a career-defining start at the park where he debuted. For Murakami, it is a chance to bury the Tigers before the series shifts logic. NPB's official calendar lists reserve dates through October 21 if rain intrudes, but Saturday looks playable.
Hanshin's season ends if the scoreboard turns against them again; DeNA needs one more win to punch a Japan Series ticket. Koshien awaits the 2 p.m. duel.