July 19th 18:00 NPB: Seibu vs SoftBank Match Information
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Seibu vs SoftBank Game Analysis
Seibu
Natsuki Takeuchi (5 wins, 1 loss, 1.37 ERA) is aiming for his sixth win of the season. In an away game against Rakuten on the 12th, Takeuchi suffered his first career loss, giving up 3 runs in 7 innings. As the season progresses, he seems to be showing signs of fatigue. However, his impressive record against SoftBank this season—3 games, 2 wins, 0.38 ERA—gives hope for this game. Seibu’s offense scored 6 runs, including 5 consecutive hits, against Hiroya Miyagi on Wednesday, marking the first time in about a month they scored more than 5 runs at home. However, the inconsistency in their hitting remains a problem. The bullpen's two days of rest thanks to Aoyama's complete game shutout is a definite plus.
SoftBank
Carl Stewart Jr. (3 wins, 2 losses, 2.34 ERA) is looking for his third consecutive win. Stewart pitched well, giving up 2 runs in 7 innings, in an away game against Nippon-Ham on the 12th, showing significant improvement compared to last year. Although he struggled against Seibu on April 29, allowing 4 runs in 6 innings, his recent tendency to give up home runs is a concern. SoftBank’s offense demonstrated what can happen when one batter gets hot, scoring 6 runs, including a 2-run homer from Kai, against Chiba Lotte's pitching on Wednesday. Takuya Kai had an outstanding day, driving in 5 runs, including a home run. However, the bullpen, which allowed only 1 run in 6 innings after Oyama's exit, is worrisome due to closer Yuki Matsumoto's continued struggles.
Comments
This season, Takeuchi has been the best SoftBank killer. Considering SoftBank’s recent struggles against left-handers, a good performance is likely. While Carl Stewart Jr.'s recent pitching has been impressive, his past struggles against Seibu and Seibu’s apparent improvement in home games make the Seibu Lions the favorites for this match.
Recommended Betting
[[Win/Loss]]: Seibu Win
[[Handicap]]: +2.5 Seibu Win
[[U/O]]: Under 5.5