HAWKS, EAGLES SET FOR WET REMATCH IN SENDAI

SENDAI, Japan (Interstat) — The undefeated Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will look to extend their perfect start against the struggling Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in a damp Pacific League clash Wednesday evening at Kleenex Stadium Miyagi.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time under a forecast of 55-degree temperatures and rain, which could factor into the series finale. The Hawks (4-0) have won four straight to open the 2026 campaign, including a 4-2 victory over these same Eagles on Tuesday. Rakuten (1-3) has dropped three of its first four.

A player to watch for SoftBank is pitcher Tomohisa Ohzeki, who delivered a quality start in Tuesday’s win, allowing one earned run over six innings with four strikeouts. His recent form provides a stable arm for the league leaders.

For the Eagles, reliever Chiharu Tanaka will be one to monitor. Despite taking the loss Tuesday, he fired a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against the Hawks’ potent lineup. Rakuten will need its bullpen to stabilize after a rough start to the season.

The Hawks arrive with momentum, having swept the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters over the weekend before Tuesday’s win. Third baseman Ryoya Kurihara, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI on Tuesday, has been a key bat.

Rakuten’s season opened with a 10-0 rout of the Orix Buffaloes but has since featured three consecutive losses, including two blowouts at Orix and the series-opening defeat to SoftBank.

According to Interstat, the Hawks are projected as strong favorites. Their game simulator predicts a 6-3 SoftBank victory, while its ELO rating system gives the Hawks a 64.9% probability to win.

Following Wednesday’s contest, the Hawks continue their road trip with a three-game set against the Chiba Lotte Marines beginning Friday. The Eagles will also hit the road, starting a series at the Saitama Seibu Lions on Friday.