Haruto Takahashi is 4-0 with a 0.21 ERA. All four wins are complete-game shutouts, the first pitcher in NPB history to start a season that way. The Glass Ace has faced 147 batters and not one of them has hit the ball for extra bases. Not a single one.

On the same night, the other Takahashi. Hiroto, 2024’s ERA champion, struck out 15 batters and lost 2-0.

Their pitching duel was the highlight of week 7 of the NPB season.