Rain-Soaked Rivalry Set for Jingu as Unbeaten Swallows Host Carp

TOKYO (Interstat) — The unbeaten Tokyo Yakult Swallows will look to extend their perfect start against the Central League rival Hiroshima Carp in a wet Thursday evening matchup at Meiji Jingu Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time under a forecast of 54-degree temperatures and rain, which could impact play.

The Swallows (4-0) have won four straight to open the 2026 season, including an 8-3 victory over the Carp just two days ago. Hiroshima (3-1) saw its three-game win streak snapped in that contest.

A key figure in that recent loss, Carp right-hander Masato Morishita, is a player to watch. On Tuesday, Morishita took the loss, allowing two earned runs on three hits over four innings while striking out five. He will look for a sharper and longer outing in the rematch.

He will need to navigate a Yakult lineup featuring hot-hitting outfielder Shu Masuda. Masuda went 2 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs in Tuesday’s win over Hiroshima, providing a central spark in the offensive outburst.

The teams played a scoreless game Wednesday, making this the rubber match of their three-game series.

According to Interstat’s projections, the Swallows are favored to claim the series victory. Their game simulator predicts a 7-4 Yakult win, and the organization’s ELO rating system gives the Swallows a 57.80% probability of winning.

For Hiroshima, catcher Shogo Sakakura drove in all three runs in Tuesday’s defeat. For Yakult, starter Yasuhiro Ogawa earned the win Tuesday with 5 2/3 innings of work, and first baseman Jose Osuna also homered.

Following this series, the Swallows will prepare to host the Chunichi Dragons for a three-game set starting Friday. The Carp will return home to Hiroshima to face the Hanshin Tigers in another three-game series beginning Friday.