Preview: Orix Buffaloes at Saitama Seibu Lions

TOKOROZAWA, Japan (Interstat) — The Orix Buffaloes and Saitama Seibu Lions will conclude a three-game series Thursday night at Seibu Dome, with both Pacific League clubs looking to gain an early edge in the standings.

The Buffaloes (3-2) evened the series with a 4-0 victory Wednesday behind a masterful complete-game shutout from right-hander Anderson Espinoza. The Lions (2-3) aim to rebound and secure a series win on their home field.

Wednesday’s contest was a pitchers’ duel, with Espinoza outdueling Seibu’s Kona Takahashi. Espinoza allowed just five hits and struck out seven over nine innings. Takahashi was nearly as sharp, yielding no earned runs over six innings in the hard-luck loss.

The Lions won the series opener 5-3 on Tuesday.

A player to watch for Orix is Espinoza, though he is unlikely to pitch after his 108-pitch complete game. The Buffaloes’ offense, which managed just seven total runs in the first two games of this series, will need others to step up. First baseman Ryo Ohta, who went 2-for-4 Wednesday, and designated hitter Bob Seymour, who drove in a run, will be key.

For Seibu, focus remains on Takahashi’s resilient performance and a bullpen that provided three scoreless innings of relief Wednesday. The Lions’ lineup must find a way to generate more offense after being shut out.

According to Interstat, its game simulator projects a 4-3 Lions victory. However, the same outlet’s ELO rating system gives the Buffaloes a 55.6% probability to win.

After Thursday’s game, Orix travels to face the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters for a three-game weekend set. The Lions will remain at home to host the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. The two teams will meet again for a two-game series in Osaka beginning April 14.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time.