Hokkaido Nippon-Ham pitcher Kitayama set to start against Lotte, aiming to extend winning streak

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham pitcher Kitayama Kouki, 27, will take the mound on June 23rd in a matchup against the Chiba Lotte Marines at Escon Field Hokkaido. After finishing the inter-league season with a perfect 3-0 record, Kitayama has already recorded six wins this season. Starting as the opening pitcher of the series, he is conscious of his important role and aims to secure victory.

When asked about his physical condition heading into the game, Kitayama expressed confidence in his preparation. "My condition this week has been excellent, including my overall physical state since my last outing. My pitching practice has been very good, and I think I'll be able to go into this game well-prepared," he stated.

Although there is no mental shift despite the inter-league season ending, Kitayama acknowledges facing a familiar opponent requires specific preparation. "With six days of rest and the momentum continuing, there's no change in my mindset. However, Lotte is an opponent we've faced many times. As the opening pitcher of this series, I want to carefully review video footage from previous matchups and work on countermeasures," he explained.

Regarding improvements to his pitching mechanics, Kitayama described an ongoing process of refinement. "I have conditioning and mechanics goals I'm working toward over the year. Through trial and error—breaking down and improving my technique repeatedly—I've been searching for the right approach. This week, I found many clues and breakthrough moments in how I can make my movements more efficient. Based on this, I sense my physical condition is progressing in a positive direction for the long term."

The 27-year-old attributed his success to the support of his teammates. Despite his personal winning streak, Kitayama emphasizes gratitude toward the bullpen and position players. "I'm grateful to the relief pitchers and position players. Somewhere along the way, I need to be the one who saves the game," he remarked, acknowledging his responsibility as a key starter for the team.