August 31, 18:00 NPB Hanshin Yomiuri Korea-Japan Baseball Analysis Sports Analysis
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Typhoon respite is somewhat welcome for the Hanshin Tigers as Hiroto Saiki (10 wins, 3 losses, 1.58 ERA) aims for his 11th win of the season. Saiki achieved victory with a stellar performance of 7 innings, 3 hits, and no earned runs against Yakult at Kyocera Dome on the 20th. Due to the rain, he has been somewhat delayed in his rotation. While he has struggled in away games against Yomiuri this year, his strong home performance is an encouraging factor for this match. In Wednesday's game, the Hanshin lineup only managed to score 2 runs, including a solo home run by Kota Inoue, against Katsuki Azuma, ultimately leading to their loss because they failed to capitalize on early opportunities. Inoue, who hit 2 hits including a home run, seems to be specifically effective against left-handed pitchers at this point. The bullpen, which held strong for 2 innings without allowing a run, needs to gradually pick up its pace.
The Yomiuri Giants, feeling somewhat disappointed by the typhoon break, are banking on Shosei Togo (9 wins, 6 losses, 2.09 ERA) to achieve his 10th win of the season. Togo showcased his skills on the 22nd in a home game against Hiroshima, pitching 8.1 innings and allowing just 1 earned run. However, he recently attempted a complete game but was unsuccessful. His performance over the last three games has been impressive, but the 5 innings and 6 earned runs he allowed in his last outing against Hanshin raises concerns. In Wednesday's game against Snipe Saito, Yomiuri's lineup scored 3 runs, including a 2-run home run by Shogo Asano, which was disappointing as they couldn't maintain the offensive power from the first game. Nonetheless, Asano’s ability to come through in crucial moments boosts the team's morale. The bullpen managed to shut down the opponent without allowing a run for 3 innings, and the presence of a strong closer significantly helps the team.
The cancellation of the typhoon has led to an outstanding matchup between Saiki and Togo. The starting pitcher duel appears evenly matched. This game has a high potential for a pitching duel, although Yomiuri seems to have the edge in late-game performance, and Hanshin’s return to Koshien is typically accompanied by lower winning percentages. With their superior pitching, the Yomiuri Giants are closer to victory.
Predicted score: 2-1, Yomiuri wins
Wins 1, Losses 1
Handicap: Yomiuri wins
Over/Under: Under