SoftBank Hawks vs. DeNA BayStars Game 4: Japan Series 2026 Start Time, Starters and TV Coverage

The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks are one victory from winning the SMBC Japan Series 2026 after taking a 3–0 lead over the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. Their next meeting is Game 4 on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Fukuoka, Japan Standard Time (JST, UTC+09:00), which is 09:00 UTC on October 28. The matchup now has confirmed starting pitchers and an official Japanese broadcast schedule.

This is a pregame guide based on information available October 28, 2026, before the scheduled first pitch. Game 3 has a confirmed result; Game 4 does not. NPB's official 2026 Japan Series center is the appropriate place to check for lineups, a change to the schedule or a later final score.

Game 4: date, time, location and probable starters

The NPB competition information confirms the date, stadium and scheduled start. Japan Standard Time remains UTC+09:00 throughout the year; Japan does not observe daylight saving time. A viewer's device may display a different clock time if it uses another region, but that does not change the official 6:00 p.m. Fukuoka start.

What happened in Game 3, and why does Game 4 matter?

SoftBank returned home after winning both games in Yokohama, then defeated DeNA 2–1 in 10 innings on October 27. With the score tied after nine innings, Tomoya Masaki hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 10th to end Game 3. The result gave SoftBank a commanding three-game series lead and left DeNA without a win.

According to NPB's official Game 3 report, the opening three games of this Japan Series all went to extra innings—the first such occurrence in Japan Series history. The final scores show just how narrow those outcomes have been, despite the 3–0 series margin.

The NPB series scoreboard records these results. Because the championship goes to the first team to earn four wins, a SoftBank victory in Game 4 would clinch the title. A DeNA victory would keep the series alive and send the teams to another scheduled game. The previous games provide context, not a forecast of the Game 4 result.

Who are the announced Game 4 starting pitchers?

Fukuoka SoftBank: Yugo Maeda

NPB lists Yugo Maeda as SoftBank's announced starter. The Pacific League's official preview credits Maeda with 12 wins, one loss and a 2.10 ERA in 19 regular-season appearances in 2026. That is a strong season record, but neither those numbers nor the 3–0 series lead guarantee the result of a postseason start. Game 4 will be decided by the performances on the field.

Yokohama DeNA: Kentaro Taira

NPB lists Kentaro Taira as DeNA's announced starter. The same league preview records five wins, eight losses and a 3.30 ERA across 21 regular-season appearances in 2026. DeNA needs a win to avoid elimination, making the start especially important for its opportunity to extend the series. A pitcher's season win-loss record alone does not determine how he will perform against a particular opponent.

The names appear on NPB's official announced-starters page; the seasonal figures come from the Pacific League's October 27 Game 4 preview. An announced starter is not the same thing as a confirmed full batting order. Official starting lineups, substitutes and any late pitching change should be checked close to game time rather than inferred from earlier games.

Where can fans watch SoftBank vs. DeNA Game 4?

NPB's published broadcast arrangements name Nippon TV for television coverage of Game 4 in Japan, with Hulu and TVer listed as internet viewing services. This pairing is specific to October 28; the channels and platforms for other Japan Series games are not necessarily identical. The broadcaster information is confirmed in NPB's October 20 television and streaming announcement.

These listings do not, by themselves, confirm free access, subscription requirements, device compatibility or availability in every country. In particular, a service listed for Japan should not be assumed to carry the same live broadcast internationally. Viewers outside Japan should check their local rights holder or the relevant platform's current regional availability before paying for access. When searching a broadcaster's schedule, use the October 28 Game 4 date and the two team names so that a replay or an earlier game is not mistaken for the live event.

What happens if SoftBank wins—or DeNA forces another game?

NPB's championship rules require four victories. SoftBank enters Game 4 with three, so another win ends the series. If DeNA wins, the provisionally scheduled Game 5 is Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Fukuoka, JST (UTC+09:00), equivalent to 09:00 UTC on October 29, again at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka. Game 5 is not guaranteed to take place; it depends on the championship remaining undecided.

NPB's rules also allow games through Game 7 to finish as ties after 12 innings. Accordingly, it is important not to treat an unfinished or tied game as an additional series victory. If further games are necessary, the published schedule provides for a travel day on October 30 and potential games in Yokohama on October 31 and November 1. Check the official schedule after each game because the series can end before those dates.

Three things to follow during Game 4

• The Maeda–Taira matchup: Both starters are announced, but their pitch counts, effectiveness and eventual decisions cannot be known before play begins.
• Late-inning management: All three completed games reached extra innings. Bullpen decisions could again matter, though prior workload alone does not establish whether any particular reliever is available or unavailable.
• DeNA's attempt to extend the series: The BayStars have played close games without earning a win. Another tight contest is possible, but it is not a confirmed prediction.

For anyone going to the dome, the official competition information says stadium gates generally open about two hours before the scheduled start, subject to changes for attendance and conditions. That is a general planning guideline, not a guaranteed entry time for every gate or ticket type. Fans should follow their ticket instructions and any stadium-specific update rather than assuming a fixed arrival procedure.

Quick answers before first pitch

Is Game 4 already over?

No final Game 4 result has been established in the pregame information used for this article. The confirmed 3–0 series score reflects Games 1 through 3. After play begins, check the NPB match center for live scoring and a final result.

Is the first pitch on October 28 or October 29?

It is October 28 in both Japan and UTC: 6:00 p.m. in Fukuoka, JST (UTC+09:00), equals 09:00 UTC on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. A calendar in another time zone may show a different local time or date.

Are the entire lineups confirmed?

NPB has identified the announced starting pitchers, Yugo Maeda and Kentaro Taira. That does not mean the complete starting nines have been officially established for this article. Check the clubs or NPB just before the game for the finalized lineup.

Verification note: The timing, venue, series standing, prior results, announced pitchers and Japanese broadcaster listings above are grounded in NPB and Pacific League publications available ahead of the scheduled October 28 first pitch. Any subsequent lineup change, postponement or result requires a new check of those official sources.