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Games 19-21 vs Dragons: Sweep, Back Where We Belong

Games 19-21 vs Dragons: Sweep, Back Where We Belong

Heading into this series, the Hanshin Tigers had gone ten straight games scoring 2 or fewer runs (but going 4-4-2 in that stretch), setting a new club record. The Chunichi Dragons were flying high, scoring runs seemingly at will and sitting blissfully in first place. But that’s the thing about April baseball. One bad series…

Games 16-18 vs Giants: Rain Prevented a True Sweep!

Games 16-18 vs Giants: Rain Prevented a True Sweep!

After the rather embarrassing opening series in Tokyo against these same Giants (25 straight innings without a run), the Tigers’ pride was on the line for this, the first home set of 2024 against their longtime rivals. They continued to struggle with run production, but the pitching trio of Shoki Murakami, Masashi Itoh, and Yuki…

Games 13-15 @ Dragons: Split Down the Middle

Games 13-15 @ Dragons: Split Down the Middle

The truth is, the Hanshin Tigers aren’t that good at Vantelin Dome. But an even greater truth is that in Akinobu Okada‘s six years as Tigers manager (2004-08, 23) they have a winning record in Nagoya four times. Whether that means he simply knows how to win in such environs, or it is just coincidence,…

Episode 196: First Impressions in 2024

Episode 196: First Impressions in 2024

Hosts T-Ray and Sanjay give you all the latest team news, including the imports, then break down the first nine regular season games of 2024. What has gone well for the team so far? What needs to get better? Are there any reasons for concern? Recorded on: April 8, 2024 Become a Patron and receive…

Games 7-9 @ Swallows: Teru Bombs to the Rescue!

Games 7-9 @ Swallows: Teru Bombs to the Rescue!

The Tigers’ bats really have not performed the way the fans expect. What better way to snap out of it than to face the Yakult Swallows at hitter-friendly Jingu Stadium? This series saw the bats on both teams come to life on Friday, then cool off a little on Saturday, and were it not for…

Toreba no Toraba: A Good Interpreter is Hard to Find

Toreba no Toraba: A Good Interpreter is Hard to Find

From the Daily Sports Online column / デイリースポーツオンラインの連載コラムから The Hanshin Tigers have begun their first season as defending champions in 38 years. That said, to date (April 4), they have not looked much like victors. That said, we’ve only just begun. I have promised myself to not get too high or too low after any…

Games 4-6 vs Baystars: Still Not Warmed Up

Games 4-6 vs Baystars: Still Not Warmed Up

Last season, that magical season that saw the Tigers win the Japan Series, started with a three-game sweep at Kyocera Dome against these same Yokohama DeNA Baystars. That hot start propelled the team to the top of the standings, where they stayed for the better part of the season. This year things did not go…

Games 1-3 @ Giants: Bats Slumber 25/27 Innings

Games 1-3 @ Giants: Bats Slumber 25/27 Innings

The title defense began on March 29 at Tokyo Dome. You would think the defending champs, and the only CL team to finish in the top 3 for 5 straight years, would get to start their season at home! However, the Tigers traded that privilege for the right to host the Yomiuri Giants at Koshien…

H-TEN (and T-Ray) on Substack

H-TEN (and T-Ray) on Substack

Hi everyone. I have been using Hanshin Tigers English News (H-TEN) as my platform for nearly 10 years now. Can you believe it’s been that long? Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I stop and think about all that I have experienced since embarking on this adventure: To this point, I have been using…