[July 19th 18:00 NPB Game: Yakult vs. Yokohama]
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Yokohama BayStars vs Yakult Game Analysis
Yakult
Kojiro Yoshimura (5 wins, 5 losses, 3.01 ERA) will challenge for a three-game winning streak. Yoshimura showed solid pitching by allowing no runs over 5.1 innings in an away game against Hanshin on the 9th, quickly overcoming his previous game where he allowed 6 runs in 4 innings against DeNA. This season, he has a record of 2 wins and 1 loss with a 4.80 ERA against DeNA on the road, with a very poor batting average against of .354. The key will be whether he can bounce back in the home game. Yakult's batting lineup, which scored 4 runs by attacking Chunichi's pitchers in Tuesday's game, is certainly more focused at home, which is a positive aspect. Murakami Munetaka's resurgence in slugging power is likely to play an important role. The bullpen, which allowed no runs in 7 innings except for 1 hit, has sufficiently fulfilled its role.
Yokohama
Andre Jackson (4 wins, 5 losses, 3.10 ERA) will take the mound to gain an early advantage. Jackson showed excellent pitching by allowing only 1 run in 6 innings in an away game against Yomiuri on the 12th and has pitched 6 innings with 1 or fewer runs in his last 5 games consecutively. The fact that he has performed well against Yakult on the road, with 6 innings and 1 run, is an encouraging point. DeNA's batting lineup, which was completely stymied by Masato Morishita's pitching and lost with 7 hits and a shutout defeat in Wednesday's game, seemed to have been affected by the rainout. The turning point in the game seemed to be when they failed to capitalize on a bases-loaded situation with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th inning. The bullpen, which pitched 2 innings, appears to have sufficient reserves.
Comments
Since the interleague games, Jackson has shown he has fully adapted to the NPB. He is likely to continue his recent solid pitching. Ultimately, how long Yoshimura can hold out will be key, but his biggest problem this season has been against DeNA. Additionally, DeNA has performed quite well at Jingu Stadium this year. Yokohama DeNA BayStars, with an edge in starting pitching, are closer to winning.
Recommended Betting
[Win/Loss]: Yokohama Win
[Handicap]: +2.5 Yakult Win
[U/O]: Under 7.5