July 5th, 18:00 NPB SoftBank vs Rakuten - Japan-Korea Baseball Analysis and Sports Prediction
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SoftBank Hawks, Tsuyoshi Wada Attempts Third Win of the Season
SoftBank Hawks are once again facing their nemesis, with Tsuyoshi Wada (2 wins, 1 loss, 3.48 ERA) aiming for his third win of the season. Although Wada struggled with 4 earned runs in 3.2 innings during an away game against DeNA on June 9, he has since made adjustments and fine-tuned his form in the second league. His previous game on May 22 at Kyocera Dome against Rakuten saw him deliver 7 innings of 3-hit, scoreless baseball, boosting expectations for this game.
In the previous day's game, the SoftBank batting line was completely shut down by Takeuchi, resulting in a 4-hit complete game shutout loss, making their rebound crucial. The bullpen, which allowed 2 runs in 3 innings, also left a significant disappointment with Takahiro Hasegawa conceding 2 runs in the top of the 9th inning.
Rakuten Golden Eagles, Takahisa Hayakawa Aiming for Fifth Win of the Season
The rainout was disappointing for the Rakuten Golden Eagles, with Takahisa Hayakawa (4 wins, 3 losses, 2.22 ERA) aiming for his fifth win of the season. Hayakawa established himself as a perfect ace this season, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings in an away game against Nippon-Ham on the 21st. Although he suffered a loss with 5 earned runs in 5 innings in a home game against SoftBank on April 5, he aims for a quality start or better in this away game.
In Tuesday’s game, Rakuten’s batting line was held to just one run by Ryūhei Sotani, and they need to break out of their slump even in local stadium games. It's crucial to move away from the inefficient play of 7 hits, 3 walks, and only 1 run. The bullpen will benefit from sufficient rest.
Game Outlook
Although SoftBank was troubled by Takeuchi in the previous game, they have a fair chance against Hasegawa. Wada's pitching will be key, but recently, Rakuten has not performed well against left-handed pitchers. In night home games, SoftBank's batting lineup shows different levels of concentration. Overall, SoftBank Hawks are closer to victory given their superior strength.
Predicted Score: 3:2 SoftBank Victory
Win: SoftBank Victory
Handicap: Rakuten Victory
Under/Over: Under