Preview: Unbeaten Hiroshima Carp Visit Unbeaten Tokyo Yakult Swallows

TOKYO (Interstat) — Two of the Central League’s early-season surprises will put their perfect records on the line Tuesday night when the Hiroshima Carp visit the Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Meiji Jingu Stadium.

Both teams enter the series opener with 3-0 records, having each swept their opening series. The Carp completed a three-game home sweep of the Chunichi Dragons on Sunday, while the Swallows did the same on the road against the Yokohama BayStars.

The marquee matchup features Hiroshima’s Ryoji Kuribayashi, who is coming off a historic complete-game shutout. On Sunday, the right-hander allowed just one hit and struck out nine in a 1-0 victory over Chunichi. He will look to continue that dominant form against a Yakult lineup that has averaged over four runs per game.

Yakult will counter with Hirotoshi Takanashi, who earned a win in his first start. On Sunday at Yokohama, Takanashi pitched six innings, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts in a 5-3 Swallows victory.

Hiroshima’s early success has been built on pitching and timely hitting. In their one-run win Sunday, catcher Shogo Sakakura and outfielder Sandro Fabian each had multiple hits to support Kuribayashi’s gem. The Carp won two other tight games against the Dragons, including a 10-inning walk-off on opening day.

The Swallows have shown more offensive punch, scoring five runs in two of their three wins. Outfielder Domingo Santana drove in three runs in Sunday’s victory, and the bullpen, led by Naofumi Kizawa, has been effective in securing leads.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Yakult holds a slight edge, projecting a 5-3 Swallows victory. The service’s ELO system gives the home team a 57% probability to win.

First pitch is scheduled for evening under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature near 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celsius).

Following Tuesday’s contest, the two teams will meet again Wednesday and Thursday to complete the series. Hiroshima then returns home for a six-game homestand against the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants. Yakult remains at home after this series to host the Chunichi Dragons for three games.