YOKOHAMA Japan (Interstat) — The Central League playoff stage is set for a dramatic opening act Saturday evening as the Yokohama BayStars host the rival Yomiuri Giants at Yokohama Stadium.

The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 Celsius).

The BayStars (72-67-5) enter the postseason with a slight edge having won the season series against the Giants (70-69-4) 8-7 with one tie. Their recent encounters have been nail-biters including a 9-8 Yomiuri victory on Sept. 27 and a 5-4 Yokohama win the previous day.

Both teams are riding momentum from victories on Oct. 1. Yomiuri’s bullpen led by Shosei Togo Iori Yamasaki and Yuhi Nishidate combined for six scoreless innings in a 5-2 win over Chunichi. Yokohama’s offense exploded in a 9-6 win over Tokyo Yakult powered by Keita Sano who went 3 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs.

According to Interstat the BayStars are the projected favorites with a 55.4% probability to win. The game simulator predicts a narrow 5-4 Yokohama victory setting the tone for what promises to be a tightly contested series. The two clubs are scheduled to meet again Sunday and Monday in Yokohama.