August 31 18:00 NPB Chiba Lotte : SoftBank
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◈Chiba Lotte
C.C. Mercedes (4 wins, 7 losses, 2.65 ERA) is aiming for his 5th win of the season. After a poor performance against Nippon Ham at home on the 21st, where he allowed 5 runs in 4.1 innings, Mercedes is currently facing his usual second-half struggles. He secured a victory against SoftBank at home on the 7th, allowing 2 runs in 5 innings, but saying that he is barely managing a quality start (QS) would be accurate. The Chiba Lotte lineup, which scored 6 runs against Arihara Kohei the previous game, showcased remarkable focus, scoring 5 runs after 2 outs. The concern is that such momentum in the second half often ends up being short-lived. The bullpen allowed 2 runs over 2 innings, and allowing a home run to Azuma Yusuke was particularly disappointing.
◈SoftBank
Cal Stewart Jr. (7 wins, 3 losses, 2.08 ERA) is on the hunt for his 8th win of the season. He faced defeat after pitching 6 innings and allowing 2 runs during an away game against Nippon Ham on the 24th, with 4 walks ultimately hindering his performance. It is certainly a cause for concern that he hasn’t been particularly effective at outdoor stadiums against Chiba Lotte this year, with performances of 2-3 runs over 5-6 innings. In the previous game, SoftBank's offense was stagnant against Sasaki until the 9th inning when Yamaka Hota hit a 2-run home run off Azuma, which was their only scoring play. The team has recently struggled against hard-throwing pitchers. Therefore, this game has the potential for an upset. The bullpen allowed 1 run over 3 innings, and Matsuyoshi Kazuki's limitations are becoming evident.
◈Comment
Recently, SoftBank's hitting issues have become quite serious. It seems difficult for them to rebound in this game as well. Additionally, the revitalization of the Chiba Lotte lineup is noteworthy, and Stewart Jr.'s performances in outdoor stadiums leave something to be desired. However, SoftBank created a chance to change the momentum with Yamaka's home run late in the previous game, which could ultimately alter the flow of the match. The stronger SoftBank Hawks are closer to victory.
◈Recommended Betting
[[Win/Loss]]: SoftBank win
[[Handicap]]: Chiba Lotte win +2.5
[[U/O]]: Over 6.5 ▲